Conventional Planning Specialist

Role Title: Conventional Planning Specialist

Rolls‑Royce SMR is here to transform how nuclear energy is delivered—cleaner, faster and at global scale. Our teams are developing one of the world’s most advanced small modular reactors, helping secure affordable, low‑carbon energy for generations to come.

We’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

About the Role:

As a Conventional Planning Specialist, you will lead the development, maintenance and delivery of the strategy for provision of the required input from Rolls-Royce SMR to customer’s conventional permitting requirements, whilst also coordinating and delivering Rolls-Royce SMR’s construction permits for customer projects.

We’ll Need You To:

• Deliver required conventional planning licences, permits and permissions for Rolls-Royce SMR’s own facilities,

• Act as a mentor to other members of the wider Regulatory Affairs and Rolls-Royce SMR team,

• Provide expert conventional planning advice to the business in respect of the power station design and project.

• Lead interactions with customers in respect of conventional planning and permitting.

• Work to tight deadlines and high standards of quality and safety.
• Successfully deliver required construction permits for Rolls-Royce SMR’s customer projects.

• Deliver conventional permits and permissions required for Rolls-Royce SMR’s own facilities (such as factories).
• Oversight and management of contract support packages in line with the company DOA.

Key Skills Required:

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:

• Demonstrable knowledge of the conventional planning regime in the UK and/or other European countries.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in the use and application of Development Consent Orders, Town and Country Planning Act Applications for major projects in the UK or equivalents overseas.
• Significant experience of dealing with local authorities and/or regulatory bodies in the UK or equivalents overseas.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills to be able to represent the project both internally to senior RR SMR stakeholders and externally to customers and senior regulators in both the UK and jurisdictions served by the Conventional Planning Specialist. This will include discussion, negotiation and development of the conventional planning strategy in the relevant jurisdiction(s).
• Experience of engaging and interfacing with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders on similar scale projects.
  

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a technical, planning or legal subject or significant equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in the licensing and permitting of major projects.

Location:

Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:

Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary and Package:

The salary band for this role will be between £71,000 – £93,200 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases.

Benefits include:

• Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 17%
• Benefits Allowance – £5,000 per annum for a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation. We offer a flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment, opportunities for growth in a rapidly scaling business, and a culture that values diversity, continuous learning and engineering excellence.

Pay Range:

£71,000.00

-

£93,187.50

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

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About Us

We are Rolls-Royce SMR

A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission.
Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years.
With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future.
We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love.
We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our culture

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge.
Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:
• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone can thrive.

What we offer

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.
Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career. Our Team | Rolls-Royce SMR

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