Wessex Internet is a fast-growing, award-winning broadband provider transforming connectivity across rural communities in the Southwest. We're on a mission to bring reliable, high-speed broadband to areas that have traditionally been overlooked, and we're looking for a Rural Planner to join our Planning team and help make that happen.

As a Rural Planner, you'll play an important role in the expansion of our full-fibre network across Dorset. Working closely with landowners, farmers and rural communities, you'll negotiate access, develop practical construction routes and secure the agreements needed to bring our network to new areas.

This is a varied, field-based role that combines relationship building, negotiation and practical route planning. You'll need a good understanding of the countryside, confidence engaging with landowners and the ability to turn proposed routes into deliverable plans.

What you'll get as a Rural Planner at Wessex Internet:

• Salary: Up to £36,000, depending on experience.

• Car allowance: £2,000 per annum.

• Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days.

• Private medical insurance and life assurance.

• Cycle to Work and technology purchase schemes.

• Enhanced family leave policies.

• Staff broadband discount: 75% off if your property is within our network.

• High street discounts across more than 100 brands.

• Team socials: Summer and Christmas events.

• Career development: Opportunities to develop your skills, take on new responsibilities and progress within a growing business.

What you'll do as a Rural Planner:

• Landowner and Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with landowners, farmers and local communities, explaining our network expansion plans and securing their support.

• Promoting the Benefits: Communicate the benefits of Wessex Internet's network and help landowners understand the positive impact improved connectivity can have on their properties and wider communities.

• Route Development: Work with landowners to identify suitable construction routes, taking their feedback into account and adapting proposals where necessary.

• Landowner Assurance: Build trust and confidence by addressing concerns, explaining construction methods and resolving potential issues relating to work on their land.

• Legal Agreements: Guide supportive landowners through the relevant legal agreements and access permissions required before construction can begin.

• Route Assessment: Review service maps, land information and other available data to identify the most practical and deliverable routes.

• Planning Handover: Produce accurate, detailed route plans and hand them over to the wider Planning team to support successful construction delivery.

• Progress Tracking: Maintain accurate records of landowner discussions, agreements, route changes and project progress within our central management system.

What you'll bring as a Rural Planner:

• A good understanding of agricultural and countryside environments, including the considerations and concerns of landowners.

• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage with a wide range of people.

• Knowledge of UK farming practices, including arable and livestock systems.

• An understanding of agricultural and construction machinery and their operation.

• Strong spatial awareness and the ability to interpret maps and assess practical construction routes.

• Good IT skills and confidence working with different systems and software.

• Previous experience using GIS software would be advantageous.

• Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.

• The ability to manage multiple projects at different stages simultaneously.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the initiative to identify potential challenges and find practical solutions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ready to apply?

If you enjoy working outdoors, building relationships and finding practical solutions to challenges in rural environments, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Wessex Internet and play a key role in connecting rural communities, helping bring reliable, high-speed broadband to the places that need it most.