Associate Director, Housing Research - Military veterans preferred

United Kingdom - London, London - UK

Job Summary

AECOM is a premier, fully integrated professional and technical services firm which provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering customised and creative solutions for clients. AECOM is one of the largest planning consultancies in the UK with expertise in spatial and land use planning at the sub-regional, local and neighbourhood scales as well as recognised expertise in masterplanning and urban design, development management and planning for major infrastructure. As part of a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our planners are able to call on specialists from a wide range of related disciplines ranging from heritage to transport and ecology to water resources.

AECOM is a leading provider of spatial and land use planning-related support to public bodies. In particular, we deliver neighbourhood planning-related services to neighbourhood groups (e.g. town and parish councils) up and down the country on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and third sector body Locality. This support includes providing assessments of local housing need, reviewing the appropriateness of potential sites for development, evidencing and reviewing emerging neighbourhood plan policies, and assisting with masterplanning and the preparation of design codes to guide future development. We also undertake a variety of assessments to support the preparation of neighbourhood plans such as Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Assessment.

In light of a growing workload, we are looking to recruit a Principal Housing Consultant to lead the delivery of Housing Needs Assessments (HNAs) in support of neighbourhood plans. The question of how much housing to build and of what type and size cuts right to the heart of the neighbourhood planning process and the successful applicant will work with colleagues to hone AECOM’s approach to establishing housing need. The role provides an exciting opportunity to work closely with neighbourhood groups to determine the right number of homes that should be planned for their areas including the proportion of homes of different tenures and the amount of specialist housing for older people and housing for people with disabilities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their expertise in the fast-moving field of housing need and the chance to see their conclusions on housing need reflected in emerging neighbourhood plans. The role also includes training colleagues in undertaking housing needs assessment and providing thought leadership, for example through publishing articles in the planning trade press or presenting at conferences and seminars.

The successful candidate will report to an Associate Director and will be expected to work on multiple assessments of housing need, including reviewing work undertaken by colleagues. The role will require technical knowledge of housing and housing needs as well as strong numeracy skills. The successful candidate will also have a strong understanding of wider planning and social issues related to housing; excellent project management skills; the capacity to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently; and strong communication skills, particularly the capacity to write clear, accessible reports delivered on time to and to budget. The successful candidate will ideally have consultancy experience although this is not a prerequisite. The position will be based at AECOM’s London Aldgate office, although we are open to the successful candidate being based in the Bristol, Croydon, Manchester or St Albans offices.

Job Duties:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead the delivery of assessments of housing need for neighbourhood groups and ensure that project outputs are delivered on time and to the highest standard

• Understand and implement project management principles and work within project budgets

• Prioritise project actions and meet commitments on an on-going basis while taking ownership and responsibility for the completion and quality of work

• Keep up-to-date with relevant policy and guidance relating to the housing agenda, neighbourhood planning and planning more generally

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of projects

• Communicate effectively with their line manager, fellow project managers, clients, project teams and other colleagues via telephone, e-mail, letters, reports and presentations

• Participate in team and client meetings as required

• Actively support marketing activities related to neighbourhood planning and proactively promote best practice and innovation across our business

Minimum Requirements

Specific Skills Required:

• Knowledge and understanding of housing need, including housing types and tenures, housing statistics, and housing policy

• The capacity to development and manipulate Excel spreadsheets and perform calculations in relation to housing need, for example, the number of newly arising households likely to be in housing need in a given area, the link between the current housing stock and current and future housing needs etc.

• The ability to assemble a wide range of relevant evidence and effectively distil key housing-related issues and messages to inform the development of neighbourhood plans

• Communication skills and the capacity to engage constructively with neighbourhood planning groups, local authorities, Government agencies and others with an interest in housing and neighbourhood planning

Person Specification:

• The successful candidate will also have:

• A professional, organised and thorough approach to work which demonstrates an attention to detail with the aim of getting things right the first time

• The ability to manage their own time and be comfortable working both within a team and independently to tight deadlines

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

• Strong numeracy and quantitative analysis skills

• A positive attitude with a strong client focus

• Ideally, previous experience of working in a consultancy environment

Additional Comments:

• A relevant chartership would be helpful

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.

What We Offer

When you join AECOM, you become part of a company that is

pioneering the future . Our teams around the world are involved in some of the most cutting-edge and innovative projects and programs of our time, addressing the big challenges of today and shaping the built environment for generations to come. We ensure a workplace that encourages growth, flexibility and creativity, as well as a company culture that champions

inclusion, diversity and overall

employee well-being through programs supported by company leadership. Our

core values define who we are, how we act and what we aspire to, which comes down to not only

delivering a better world , but working to “make amazing happen” in each neighborhood, community and city we touch. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

Job Category Planning

Business Line Environment

Business Group Design and Consulting Services Group (DCS)

Country United Kingdom

Position Status Part-Time

Requisition/Vacancy No. 213211BR

Clearance Required No

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.