Assistant Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic consultancy in Cranfield seeks a Town Planner at multiple levels, from Assistant to Senior Planner. This role offers a supportive culture focused on talent development, flexible hybrid working, and impactful projects in planning and ecology. Candidates will involve themselves in planning applications, policy work, and mentorship opportunities.

Benefits

Award-winning training and mentoring programme

Flexible hybrid working model

Early client exposure

Fast-tracked career development

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ experience for Town Planner; 3-6+ years for Senior Planner.
• Recent graduates considered for Planning Assistant.
• Experience in private consultancy preferred for mid-level roles.

Responsibilities

• Support and manage planning applications, appeals, and policy work.
• Work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Attend external meetings, site visits, and contribute to innovation.

Skills

Communication

Research

Report Writing

Client Liaison

Collaboration

Proactive Mindset

Job description

Town Planner (Assistant to Senior Level)
Location: Cranfield (Hybrid: Office-based Monday-Thursday, WFH Fridays)
Type: Full-time (Graduate role starts part-time with progression to full-time)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience + benefits

Are you a passionate and proactive Town Planner looking to grow your career in a dynamic, forward-thinking consultancy? Whether you’re just starting out or already established in the field, this is a rare opportunity to join a small, high-performing team that challenges convention, fosters talent over hierarchy, and supports professional growth at every level. We’re hiring on behalf of a bold and ambitious planning consultancy based in Cranfield.

Who We’re Looking For:

We’re considering applications at three levels:

Planning Assistant (Graduate Entry):

• Ideal for recent graduates or early-career candidates

• Opportunity to rotate through Planning, Strategic Land, and Ecology teams

• Start part-time (3 days/week), progressing to full-time after 6 months

• Award-winning training and mentoring programme

Town Planner:

• 1-3 years’ experience, preferably in a private consultancy

• Confident communicator, adept at research, report writing, and client liaison

• Involvement in planning applications, appraisals, and small to mid-sized developments

• Strong collaborative skills with a proactive mindset

Senior Planner:

• 3-6+ years’ experience with a private sector background preferred

• Ideally experienced in Local Plan representations and strategic land promotion

• Capable of contributing to business development and maintaining client relationships

• Skilled in policy work, strategic site promotion, and managing multiple projects

What You’ll Do:

• Support and manage planning applications, appeals, and policy work

• Work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team of planners, land agents, and ecologists

• Communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and local authorities

• Contribute to site appraisals, public consultation, and viability work

• Attend external meetings, site visits, and contribute to internal innovation

• For senior roles: mentor junior colleagues and bring/maintain client relationships

Why Join This Team?

• A truly supportive and open culture where talent is valued over structure

• Work with industry leaders in planning and ecology across impactful projects

• Enjoy early client exposure and fast-tracked career development

• Flexible hybrid working model – office camaraderie + Friday WFH

Interested?

Contact Sofia Conte [e-mail] or call 01792 957386. We have many more vacancies available on our website.

This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a Recruitment Agency in respect to this position