About the RTPI
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. We represent 27,000 planners both in the UK and abroad as the leading membership body in the UK for the planning profession. As such we work closely with government, influencing policy and legislation as well as developing and supporting our members.
The RTPI has a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace and actively helps its employees at all levels to develop and grow. As an employer, we recognise that our future success depends entirely on our staff and their continuing development.
In addition to continuous personal and professional development, the RTPI offers competitive salaries and annual leave allowances, a generous pension scheme and an exclusive package of discounts and benefits (see more below).
What we offer
Our salaries are competitive and benchmarked against similar organisations
Pay
We support our colleagues to develop in their role in a number of ways, such as secondments, training and job shadowing.
Training and development
26 days holiday, up to 4 days when the RTPI is closed around Christmas plus a bonus birthday day off!
Holidays
We offer a group personal pension scheme and contribute up to 12%.
Pension
Access to a wellbeing portal, offering counselling and advice on number of issues.
Health & Wellbeing
Access to a package of discounts and benefits including gift cards, gym membership, travel, car hire and insurance.
Discounts
We top up the statutory pay for eligible colleagues and we try to be a family-friendly workplace.
Enhanced Maternity and Adoption Pay
Equality, diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of the RTPI’s values and objectives
Equality, diversity and inclusivity
Group life assurance scheme currently to the value of 3 x basic salary, regardless of length of contract
Life Assurance
A loan to buy an annual season ticket to travel to the office, repayable over the year.
Season ticket loan
Our offices are in the heart of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff. We also offer many home-based positions.
Locations
Work with us
A great team
When you work for the RTPI you won’t just get an interesting and challenging job, you will also get to know our friendly and welcoming team based across the UK and Ireland. We all get together in London twice a year and our social committee regularly arranges social and charity events such as city relays, group walks, bake-offs and after-work socialising. Meet some of our team below.
Lesley Mitchell, Head of Human Resources & Compliance
Joined the RTPI in March 2009
“I started in 2009 as Head of HR and my role has changed to include a variety of different areas of responsibility over the years. I was responsible for facilities management for a few years in addition to HR and now I lead the compliance function for the RTPI which includes data protection and governance. One of the great things about working for an organisation this size is that you can take responsibility for a much broader range of areas than would be possible in a large organisation.”
“I was based in London office for seven years then the RTPI agreed for me to move to the Edinburgh office. I have a great, supportive team based in London and the RTPI makes it easy to be involved and connected with colleagues regardless of where they are based.”
The RTPI is: welcoming, varied, inspiring
Lee Whitman, CRM Manager
Joined the RTPI in September 2017
“I joined RTPI in September 2017 as a Senior Membership Officer working in the Membership department. I enjoyed the work and used my knowledge and experience to successfully apply for promotion to CRM Manager in February 2019. As the CRM Manager my work is challenging but hugely rewarding and no day is the same.”
“One of the great things about working for the RTPI is observing the effort my colleagues devote to serving our members. Everyone at the RTPI is determined to achieve the institutes goals and I take pleasure in working with people who are dedicated to doing a job.”
RTPI is a supportive and inclusive organisation to work for
Robbie Calvert, Policy & Practice Officer, RTPI Scotland
Joined the RTPI in December 2016
“I first joined the RTPI in December 2016 as an Intern Project Officer. I was studying for an MSc in Planning so the internship fitted perfectly. 6 months later I was promoted to Policy and Networks Adviser, and 17 months after that, I was promoted to Policy and Practice Officer to cover a colleague’s maternity leave. I left to gain some experience working in local government and came back to the same role in January 2021. ”
“I’ve been able to take on projects and responsibilities that I wouldn’t have had access to in a larger organisation, such as participating in working groups, managing networks, producing research and briefings and responding to consultations. I look forward to continuing to grow in this role, building strong network across the industry and helping shape and influence policy.”
The RTPI is: supportive, inclusive, welcoming.
Andrew Close, Director of Education and Profession
Joined the RTPI in September 2013
“I first joined the RTPI in September 2013 as Practice Officer based in the Policy & Research team. Within a year, I had been made Interim Planning Aid Manager, helping communities to access and understand the planning system, and then was promoted to Head of Careers and Professional Development in January 2015. In January 2021, I was promoted again to Director of Education and Profession and I’m now part of the Senior Executive team, responsible for professional practice, training and research and supporting the development of a diverse pipeline of planners. The Institute is a supportive employer, encouraging a friendly and inclusive culture which enabled me to be open in the workplace and take up opportunities for personal and professional growth. ”
Victoria Hills, Chief Executive
Joined the RTPI in April 2018
“I joined the RTPI as the Chief Executive in 2018 because it is at the heart of planning policy and has a wide impact. Our new corporate strategy will start in 2020, so my focus is on empowering the organisation to deliver it. We will need innovation and agile ways of working, so we want to attract good people and to develop our diverse workforce to retain talent.”
“The challenges involved in tackling climate change, social justice and the housing crisis make this the most interesting time to work in planning for decades. So it’s a great time to work at the RTPI.”
The RTPI is: established, friendly, dedicated.
Anil Ramdhan, Chief Technology Officer
Joined the RTPI in July 2012
“I’ve had four jobs at the RTPI: I started in IT Support, then applied for the IT manager job. I was promoted to Head of ICT, managing a team of four, in 2015. I was promoted again to Chief Technology Officer in March 2021.”
“My favourite thing is the RTPIs willingness to change and improve with technology. We’ve brought in lots of new initiatives and software to develop the way we work. And the people are really nice – the staff away days are always great and give us a chance to talk to different people. In the future, I’d like to work as part of something really big and far-reaching, like the UN, to do good on a huge scale.”
RTPI is: changing, energetic, adaptable.