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:

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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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