Senior Rural Planner

**About Wessex Internet**

Wessex Internet is a dynamic and fast-growing Internet Provider in the South West that is changing the way full fibre broadband is rolled out in rural areas. We believe that the countryside deserves lightning-fast broadband and are passionate in delivering a fantastic service to thousands of customers whose copper line upgrade is deemed uncommercial by the rest of the industry.

We design, build, and manage our own 3000km FTTP (Fibre to the Property) network in-house and are one of the leading suppliers making use of several Government funded voucher programmes.

Wessex Internet is growing fast. Our vision is to scale whilst retaining our excellent and personal customer service. In order to make our teams more effective and efficient we are investing in world class business systems and processes. Wessex Internet wants to make step change improvements to the broadband experience, setting it apart from other internet providers.

We believe in building a great place to work, where everyone’s contribution is valued, and everybody has the chance to raise their ideas and make a difference everyday.

Every one of us is responsible for the continued success of Wessex Internet, each individual has something valuable to offer, and together we’re constantly looking for better ways to serve more people. We’re growing fast, and we need the best people to join us.

**The Role**

**Do you love the countryside and have a flair for negotiating? If so, this may be the perfect role for you**

This is a full-time role, working within the Planning Team, part of the Pre-Construction Department, recruiting landowners and negotiating access for our trenchless buried fibre network.

Whilst some background knowledge of internet service provision might be useful, it is by no means essential. We are looking for bright, engaging, rural-minded people who are quick to learn.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Engaging with communities and landowners to seed and discuss WI network expansion schemes
- Explaining benefits to landowners of participating in the WI model
- Liaising with landowners to propose suitable construction routes, adapt according to their input and confirm development plans
- Instil confidence in customers and overcome any concerns they may have around the impact of network construction on their property
- Walking committed landowners through the legal agreement process enabling the network construction to start in that area
- Evaluate service maps and accessible land information
- Handing over a deliverable route plan to the Planning Team
- Keeping all progress up to date on the company's central management system
- Lead and support on the ability and quality of the rural planning team
- Instigate and develop new best practice and process refinement where appropriate
- Conduct team training and 1-2-1 performance development
- Assist Head of Pre-Construction for Rural Planner recruitment and any other land access initiatives

**Requirements**:

- Excellent agricultural and countryside awareness, including an understanding of possible landowner concerns
- Negotiation and relationship building skills
- Knowledge of agricultural and construction machinery operation
- A robust grasp of UK arable and livestock farming systems and processes
- Keen sense of spatial awareness
- Ability to work on multiple projects at differing stages concurrently
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
- Proactive, can do and full of initiative
- Good communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to work well with a wide variety of people
- Ability to foresee potential challenges and propose resolutions

**Benefits**
- The option to buy or sell an additional 5 days holiday
- Use of pool vehicle for landowner appointments
- Opportunities to progress your career - We’re a young, fast-growing business that is proud of our team of homegrown specialists. Whether you want to step up to lead a team, or expand your skills in a new area, we’ll help you reach your potential
- Free breakfast - including fruit, snacks, teas & coffees available throughout the day
- Regular social events
- Free onsite parking
- 75% discount to Wessex Internet package

**Salary**:£36,000 - £38,000 DOE with access to a pool vehicle

**Role Type**: Full Time/Permanent

**Hours**: 40 hours per week

**Location**: Hybrid - A combination of working in the office based near Blandford Forum, Dorset, working from home and frequent appointments across the region

**Holiday**: 25 days plus bank holidays