Overview
We are delighted to be working exclusively with Future Biogas, one of the UK's most innovative and mission-driven renewable energy developers, to recruit a Planning Manager for their Guildford-based team. This is a rare opportunity to join a business at the forefront of unsubsidised green gas infrastructure, delivering projects that support sustainable farming, biodiversity, and national net-zero goals. The role offers exposure to high-profile partnerships and the chance to influence national planning reform and policy.
Employees benefit from a collaborative, non-hierarchical culture that encourages cross-team engagement, professional development, and visibility at senior levels. This role also offers succession potential as the business scales.
The role: This is a high-impact, delivery-focused role. Youll be managing complex planning applications for large anaerobic digestion sites; navigating rural development, public consultation, and regulatory engagement. Youll also play a key role in supporting and developing the planning team, taking line management responsibility for a Planning Assistant, and supporting a team with an existing pipeline for work.
Key responsibilities
* Lead planning applications, variations, appeals, and stakeholder consultations for major infrastructure projects
* Coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to deliver high-quality, timely submissions
* Build relationships with local authorities, regulators, and communities—often in challenging environments
* Report to the Planning lead and liaise with other senior stakeholders, including the Business Development Director / CEO
* Attend site visits, exhibitions, and planning committee meetings
* Manage a planning team and support the Planning Assistant; contribute to the team9s pipeline and growth
Qualifications and experience
* Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in a planning-related subject
* Minimum 3 years' experience in planning for infrastructure projects
* Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder planning processes
* Resilience and pragmatism in the face of public scrutiny, bureaucracy, and shifting priorities
* Strong interpersonal skills, able to build trust quickly and communicate clearly at all levels
* Based within a commutable distance of Guildford, able to spend at least 3 days in-office
Seniority and employment details
* Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Project Management, Strategy/Planning, and Consulting
* Industries: Nonresidential Building Construction, Services for Renewable Energy, and Community Development and Urban Planning
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