Associate Director | Planning Director

Penguin Recruitment; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

27 days annual leave + birthday day

Hybrid working

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an Associate Planning Director / Planning Director to shape regional strategy, win new work, and lead major planning schemes from its Birmingham hub. The role focuses on growth, mentoring planning colleagues, and delivering high-quality advice across the UK.

You will lead a leadership team, manage key client relationships, and drive a culture of excellence while meeting tight deadlines in a hybrid working environment from central Birmingham.

Qualifications

• A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy environment.
• A strong understanding of UK planning policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience preparing and managing planning applications and appeals.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong track record of delivering work to tight deadlines.
• RTPI membership is preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Play a central role in the growth strategy of the Birmingham office.
• Identify, secure, and deliver new development opportunities.
• Lead major planning applications and appeals for large-scale mixed-use schemes.
• Provide strategic planning advice to a diverse client base.
• Manage and inspire a high-performing planning team.
• Maintain and develop strong client relationships.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality work to agreed timescales.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client relationship management

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Town Planning

RTPI membership

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director | Director - Town Planning

Location: Birmingham

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a nationally recognised and forward-thinking planning consultancy in the appointment of an Associate Planning Director / Planning Director to play a key role in the continued growth of its Birmingham office.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an ambitious planning professional looking to shape regional strategy, develop new business opportunities, and lead the delivery of major planning projects across the UK.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will join a consultancy with ambitious growth plans and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality planning advice on complex and high-profile schemes. Projects include urban regeneration initiatives and major mixed-use sustainable urban extensions, working with national housebuilders, land promoters, and landowners.

You will become a key member of the regional leadership team, helping to drive business growth while mentoring and developing planning colleagues.

The Role

• Play a central role in the growth strategy of the Birmingham office
• Identify, secure, and deliver new development opportunities
• Lead major planning applications and appeals for large-scale mixed-use schemes
• Provide strategic planning advice to a diverse client base
• Manage and inspire a high-performing planning team
• Maintain and develop strong client relationships
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality work to agreed timescales

Requirements

• A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy environment
• A strong understanding of UK planning policy and regulatory frameworks
• Proven experience preparing and managing planning applications and appeals
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• A strong track record of delivering work to tight deadlines
• RTPI membership

What's on Offer

• Highly competitive salary and benefits package
• Private medical insurance
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with an additional day off for your birthday
• Hybrid working from a central Birmingham hub
• A culture of trust, autonomy, and professional empowerment
• The opportunity to join a vibrant, ambitious consultancy and influence long-term business strategy
• Support from experienced and approachable senior leadership