Associate Director

Vivid Resourcing; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical cover

Support for professional subscriptions

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing in Bristol is seeking an Associate Director to lead a planning team, focusing on strategic planning, land promotion, and planning applications. You will work with colleagues in development economics, design and heritage to shape residential developments.

You will build client relationships, expand the practice region, and contribute to business development. The role offers hybrid working and strong prospects within a growing consultancy.

Qualifications

• Relevant planning qualification and substantial regional experience.
• RTPI membership.
• Strong understanding of the planning process and systems.
• Excellent writing skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and an approachable manner.

Responsibilities

• Advising on the development potential of land and buildings.
• Assisting with planning applications and appeals.
• Providing policy advice and research to shape planning strategies.
• Drafting representations for plan consultations and examinations.
• Helping identify land opportunities.
• Working with clients and consultants to deliver development.
• Supporting and leading business development activity.

Skills

Planning qualification

RTPI membership

Planning process understanding

Excellent writing

Strong communication

Team-oriented

Job description

Salary: Competitive (based on experience)

Location: Bristol

Work type: Hybrid

About the Role

Are you an ambitious Planning professional ready for your next step? We're looking for an Associate Director level Planner to join our growing team in Bristol. Our planning team focuses on strategic planning work, including planning applications and land promotion for residential development, working closely with colleagues across development economics, design and heritage.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary with a strong benefits package, including private medical cover and support for relevant professional subscriptions
• A culture built on trust, autonomy and ownership of your work
• Exposure to a varied portfolio of projects, including land promotions and planning applications across a range of sites and clients
• The chance to join an established, growing planning team and help shape our regional strategy
• Hybrid working, with flexibility to find a pattern that suits you

The Opportunity

Every member of our team plays a part in achieving our goals — helping lead projects, build client relationships and represent our brand.

As an Associate Director, you'll continue developing your career within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, with significant scope to build client relationships and grow your own workload. This role suits someone with strong regional experience and a genuine ambition to develop their own client base, supporting the continued growth of the business.

You'll be involved in projects from day one — working with colleagues, clients and other consultants to manage schemes from initial advice through to strategy, representing clients at plan examinations and appeals, securing planning permission, and negotiating conditions and obligations. There are also opportunities to contribute thought pieces and press commentary to build your profile and ours.

Key responsibilities:

• Advising on the development potential of land and buildings
• Assisting with planning applications and appeals
• Providing policy advice and research to shape planning strategies
• Drafting representations for plan consultations and examinations
• Helping identify land opportunities
• Working with clients and consultants to deliver development
• Supporting and leading business development activity

You'll need:

• A relevant planning qualification and substantial prior experience in the local region
• RTPI membership
• A strong, in-depth understanding of the planning process and systems
• Excellent writing skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills and an approachable manner
• Drive, commitment and a collaborative, team-oriented approach

We're looking for an experienced Associate Director keen to expand their capabilities and take on a broader role, with excellent prospects for the right candidate.

Please reach out on [e-mail] or 01614705506, alternatively if it's not for you please feel free to share with your wider network!