Role overview

• ID: 2025-7118
• Entity: Vistry
• Region: Vistry South East
• Department: Land & Planning
• Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
• Job Location: Caterham, Surrey
• Date Posted: 14.04.2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a Planning Manager to join our team within Vistry South East, at our office in Caterham, Surrey. As a key player in the development process, you will lead on all matters of planning from early site feasibility studies working with the land and technical teams to inform acquisition, through to overseeing the planning process and seeing the site through to delivery working with our delivery and production teams.

• Let’s cut to the chase, what’s in it for you...
  • Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
  • Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
  • Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
  • 2 Volunteering days per annum
  • Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave 
  • Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
  • Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
  • Share save and share incentive schemes
  • Employee rewards portal with many more benefits...
• In return, what we would like from you...
  • Behave in line with our company values – Integrity, Caring and Quality
  • Architecture or Planning Degree or Degree in Design, such as, Urban Layout, Landscape, Architectural Technology or;
  • Relevant experience in the industry.
  • At least 3/5 years experience working within a residential house builder
  • Knowledge or other design packages (photoshop, JPA designer, sketch-up)
  • Experience or people management and project leading.
  • Able to influence and persuade others to their point of view;
  • Capable of implementing change and of using their initiative;
  • Resilient, positive, confident and assertive but diplomatic;
  • Strong mathematical ability;
  • Able to manage and lead a team;
  • A good communicator/listener;
  • An awareness of the social and environmental impact of your work;
  • Accurate with an eye for detail.
  • Capable of strategic vision
  • Decision making, problem solving, and multi-tasking
  • Able to work under pressure and work proactively.
  • Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when business needs require it

  Desirable –

  • MRTPI qualified
  • Achieved or working towards part 3 architect accreditation,
  • Achieved or working towards a BSc or an NVQ in Architectural Technology
  • Membership of the (CIAT) Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists or the RIBA
• More about the Planning Manager role...
  • Work closely with the Land Team to identify potential sites that meet with the business criteria, and assess new business opportunities, undertake feasibility work, and assist/advise in the preparation of bid/offer documentation as required.
  • Managing the Business Planning Strategy and compliance, advising on the promotion of the sites/opportunities, and coordinating the planning development plans and planning applications.
  • Appoint, Manage and lead Consultants in the preparation of town planning and new housing proposals, in line with company strategy, to produce robust and timely planning applications for submission to the appropriate planning authority.
  • Manage and promote the existing Business housing brands and portfolio’s to maximise development opportunities and the reputation of the company.
  • Manage Planning submission to an agreed programme and obtain clean planning consents for proposals.
  • Monitor, record, and maintain schedules/trackers to ensure all S106 obligations are met, and Planning conditions are discharged in a timely and effective manner.
  • Working with key stakeholders involved in the project, including external clients and government agencies, to ensure that appropriate and viable developments are achieved and delivered at the earliest opportunity.
  • Identify and mitigate against risk and work with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to manage risk the pre-start risk of projects.
  • Work alongside other members of the team to ensure that the Planning proposals meet the business plan.
  • Manage applications through the determination process, leading with all stakeholder engagement.
  • Provide detailed Planning handovers to the delivery team upon receipt of successful planning consents.
  • Providing counsel and representation at key planning meetings and appeal hearings
  • Attend and represent the Business (as required) at proposal meetings, planning consent boards, appeal panels and public inquiries.
  • Advising stakeholders on planning policy and regulations and offering hands-on advice to management and producing reports for senior staff.
  • When required, organise, lead/attend and minute client and/or internal project meetings acting in a professional manner to positively represent Vistry Group.
  • Resolve problems in collaboration with the project teams and colleagues and share learning to champion continuous improvement and ensure successful delivery of schemes.
  • Network with new and existing clients to identify opportunities to expand the business.
  • Comply with all Group’s policies including Health, Safety and Environmental policies.
  • Any other task deemed necessary to the role.

Finally, let’s tell you a bit more about us...

We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empowerus to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you’ll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation,â¯and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.&