2026 Graduate Programme

Role title: Graduate Planner – (September 2026 start)

Salary: Regions: £27,000 and £1,000 sign on bonus

Location: Cardiff

About this role:

With over 300 planners across the UK, we are the largest planning department in any mainstream real estate practice with a reputation for success and professionalism.

We work with all types of property, but have specialisms in urban mixed use, housing, retail, major sports venues, energy, master planning, urban design, environmental impact assessment, community engagement, heritage and Section 106 agreements/Community Infrastructure Levy.

We negotiate planning permissions for everything from major urban regeneration schemes to modest domestic extensions. Our department consists of planners skilled in assembling evidence and building a case to achieve planning permission from local authorities, planning inspectors and government ministers.

Planning role locations:

Cardiff

The Savills Planning Team in Cardiff is made up of 17 planners and is a highly respected part of the UK's largest planning consultancy, with over 190 specialists nationwide. The team works across a diverse range of projects and clients including developers, investors, corporates, charities, and education providers delivering schemes locally, regionally, and nationally.

Current projects include work with Puy du Fou in connection to a new theme park in Oxfordshire, Wrexham AFC, Indurent Park in Newport, Twyn Hywel Energy Park, Bridgend College, Cardiff Bay mixed-use development, a number of data centres projects across England and Wales, and a Carbon Capture and Storage scheme in North Wales. The team collaborates closely with colleagues across Development, Investment, Office Agency, New Homes, Building Services, Energy & Sustainability, and Property Management, forming part of the largest property services firm in Wales.

As a planning Graduate you will be expected to prepare planning appraisals, undertake research and analysis, prepare planning applications, contribute to the preparation/editing of Design and Access Statements, Sustainability Statements and other planning documents. There will be a variety of exciting projects to work on, helping develop your knowledge and skills. Your input is an essential part of our working processes.

The assessment process for this role:

Online Application – (CV and Question) (Applications close on 4th January 2026)

Online Assessment – SHL

Assessment Centre & Panel Interview (on same day) – 3rd February 2025 in Cardiff

Please see routes to qualification here.

Before completing the application form, please click here to check if your degree is accredited by the RTPI or not. If not, please define your application as a Non-Cognate application.

How you'll make an impact:

Good communication and organisational skills and a proactive approach are vital to succeed as a Planning Graduate. You will need that ability to manage a varied workload working as part of a team, while also having the ability to use your own initiative, and be passionate about delivering the best service possible for your clients.

• High attention to detail, well organised and a proactive approach
• Ability to empower those around them
• Strong verbal, numerical and report writing skills
• A team player with leadership potential
• Ability to Listen to others and Collaborate effectively
• Strategic approach to problem solving
• Highly motivated
• Ability to challenge in a positive way
• Computer literate

Ahead of anything else, we look for individualism and diversity in our graduate intake - so it's very important at every stage of the selection process that you take the opportunity to show us what you're really like. Be honest and above all, be yourself.

Key skills:

• Decision Making
• Collaboration
• Building Relationships
• Planning and Organising
• Adaptability
• Resilience

Benefits:

• Permanent Contract for all graduates, as opposed to a 2 year training contract
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Pension Scheme – Royal London
• Company mobile phone and Laptop
• Training and APC costs covered
• 25 days annual leave
• Employee discounts - save money using our MyRewards on thousands of discounts and offers
• Sports activities (Hockey, Netball, Skiing, Rugby, Football, Cricket, Badminton)
• Employee Assistance Programme – A 24 hour service available to all staff and completely confidential
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• ShareSave - Save As You Earn share option scheme

Training:

We provide comprehensive training and revision programmes to support you passing your Royal Town Planning Institute Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) and you will be allocated a mentor to guide you through this process.

During the two year training programme you will work with people in the Planning department to build up a variety of experience and contacts to be able to meet the APC requirements, but also to cross sell and share information with our multi-disciplinary teams as you progress through the business. Experiencing a variety of teams and working styles is fundamental to developing your understanding of Savills, the market and our clients.

As a graduate, you'll also have regular opportunities to attend technical, business skills and personal development activities - including conferences, courses, lectures, networking, revision sessions and social events.

Career Development:

Once you've successfully passed your APC and become a member of the Royal Institution of Town Planners (RTPI), you'll continue to receive training and career development opportunities. We ensure that your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is current and that all staff are fully up-to-date with changes to legislation and business needs.

Find your place to thrive:

Savills is an organisation full of extraordinary individuals. Brilliant people at the forefront of their specialisms, eager to drive progress for themselves, their colleagues and our business as part of a truly inclusive culture.

No matter the role you're in, we all share one purpose: to help people thrive through places and spaces. This is built into our DNA, shaping the way we behave to deliver the best results. We define it by four key values. We listen, We empower, We challenge, We collaborate.

Right to work in the UK and employment offer:

Any employment offer made is contingent on you obtaining and maintaining the right to work and reside legally in the UK. We welcome applications from candidates who have their own right to work within the UK, where you can maintain and demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the recruitment process.

Savills are unable to sponsor candidates for this role as the Home Office's eligibility criteria will not be satisfied.

Use of AI:

Applicants are permitted to utilise AI tools to assist in the preparation of their application materials. However, all information submitted must be factually accurate and originate from the applicant's own experiences. Content generated by AI should be used solely as a supportive tool and must be thoroughly reviewed and edited to ensure authenticity. All information provided will be evaluated during the interview process. Applications containing inaccuracies, plagiarised material, or content copied from internet sources will be withdrawn from consideration. For internal candidates, such instances may also lead to disciplinary action.