Planning and Development Project Manager, Crown & Canopy (Maternity Cover)

A bit about us.

The Sawdays group is a collection of travel brands all centred on a passion for special places to stay. Since 2017 the company has been 52% employee-owned with the rest made up of a Charitable Trust and the founding family. Were proud to be B Corp certified and recognised by them as one of the top 5% places in the world for employees.

We are leaders in sustainable and ethical travel and every team in our business plays a vital role in achieving our impact goals. Our Impact Report outlines our five-year strategy and annual objectives which form the foundation of our company-wide approach. These goals drive every decision we make and we expect all team members to contribute to their success as part of our shared mission. Every employee every team every decision contributes to our mission to demonstrate that tourism can be done better and that it has a positive role to play in society and in protecting the environment.

This role involves working for Crown & Canopy the UKs leading glamping consultancy agency who offer advice guidance and hands-on support to owners looking to make their dreams into every project we run the health of the land and the ecosystem is as important as the bottom line. Crown & Canopy work closely with the Canopy & Stars team to support owners on this journey of developing and marketing glamping and sustainable accommodation.

Your role

We are looking for a Planning and Development Project Manager as maternity cover for 12 months.

This role involves preparation and submission of pre and full commercial planning applications in open countryside. Knowledge and experience of working on planning applications is key and ideally the applicant has good experience of drafting and submitting applications through planning portals as well as liaising with planning officers and local authorities.

The work involves liaison with internal team members including our in-house architects and consultants as well as recruitment and management of freelance surveyors such as tree and ecology specialists. Good communication and problem-solving skills are required to manage projects internally with the team and with clients along with the ability to manage client expectations and work in a flexible way. A certain amount of tenacity and the ability to work independently as well as in a team is crucial to this role.

Excellent written skills are required for preparing planning statements and consultancy reports. A good understanding of the UK planning system is desirable as is the ability to respond quickly and carry out thorough research into policy and designations.

Job Title

• Planning and Development Project Manager (maternity cover)

Reports to

• Crown & Canopy Director

Works with

• Senior Planning & Development Project Manager
• Senior Architect
• Architectural Designer

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Preparation and submission of planning applications including working closely with clients in-house team and independent contractors
• Managing planning applications post submission including liaison with planning officers clients and relevant third parties
• Manage relationships with clients and external contractors (this may involve site visits)
• Work closely with the in-house architects to deliver timely and efficient projects
• Sustainability & Ethics Guardianship: We are leaders in sustainable and ethical travel and every team in our business plays a vital role in achieving our impact goals. Our Impact Report outlines our five-year strategy and annual objectives which form the foundation of our company-wide this role youll be responsible for considering these goals with every decision we make as a business whilst supporting initiatives which contribute to the success of our shared mission.

Skills and experience

Necessary:

• Excellent project management experience and skills
• Some knowledge and experience of working on planning applications
• Great communication at all levels with the ability to work through ambiguity and to collaborate with stakeholders

Desirable:

• Thorough understanding of the UK planning system
• Ideally a planning related background
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Northern or Midlands based or within commutable distance of Bristol

Knowledge and qualifications

• Planning related qualification or 2 years minimum planning experience preferred
• Salary 29-35k pro rata depending on experience
• 26 days holiday per year plus bank holidays pro rata
• Part-time 30-37.5 hours per week
• Flexi time and hybrid working
• Company pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions at 4% and an optional salary sacrifice scheme
• An employee-owned company
• A special place to work: a colourful upcycled recycled open plan office on Bristols buzzing harbourside
• DEIBA Team: a team focused on diversity & inclusion efforts for our employees and customers
• 290 per year towards staying in one of our special places
• 20% employee discount and 10% family & friends discount on UK based Canopy & Stars breaks 15% discount on EU based breaks
• 15% employee discount and 8% family & friends discount on Paws & Stay breaks in the UK
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• A volunteering day per year
• 15 wellbeing hours per year (pro rata)
• A Climate Journey Day policy which gives you the opportunity to earn up to two paid days per year to travel to and from a holiday destination using low-carbon transport
• Social and wellbeing events held throughout the year

Closing Date and Applications

• Applicants need to be Northern or Midlands based or within commutable distance of Bristol
• Closing date for applications: 22nd August 2025

Our Behaviours and Values

How we work is just as important as the success we achieve at Sawdays. During your time with us you will be expected to treasure protect and embody our behaviours and values every day.

We celebrate quirkiness and difference

We dance to the beat of our own drum

We encourage curiosity and creativity

We champion individuality and the special

We follow head and heart

We are solidly commercial while flexible and human

We are empathetic generous and supportive

We make ethical holistic long-term decisions

We do important things brilliantly

We use business as a force for social environmental and economic good

We are committed to our craft and deliver with ambition and purpose

We relish our role in sustaining a happy healthy world

We bring positive energy

We foster a genuine spirit of togetherness and family

We take pleasure in empowering and delighting others

We are driven to learn grow connect and contribute

Finally

We place a strong emphasis on ethics people and the environment and it is important to us that you understand strongly identify with and are able to develop the company ethos.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive company where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued and where everyone can bring their full authentic selves to work.

As a Disability Confident Employer we offer a guaranteed interview to any disabled candidate who meets all the Necessary skills listed above and is a commutable distance from the office.

If you need any further assistance with your application or require the application form in a different format please contact Charlotte Bennett on or 0.