Associate Director – Town Planning

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Company pension

Career break

Hybrid work

Professional development

Diverse projects

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an Associate Director in Town Planning to lead a diverse project portfolio, mentor a growing team, and strengthen client relationships across the UK.

You will work closely with Directors and senior stakeholders to shape strategy and drive growth in a dynamic consultancy. The role combines project leadership, client management and business development, with hybrid/ flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on delivering commercially credible planning

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Town Planning, Geography, Environmental Planning or related discipline.
• Significant experience in town planning, ideally in a consultancy.
• Sterner understanding of the UK planning system and development management.
• Proven experience managing complex planning projects and giving strategic advice.
• Strong client-facing experience with ability to build long-term relationships.
• Commercial awareness with an interest in winning new work.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior team members.
• RTPI Chartered or working towards MRTPI is highly desirable.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Managing and leading a diverse portfolio of planning projects from inception through completion.
• Providing strategic and commercially focused planning advice to clients.
• Leading on complex planning applications, development proposals and planning strategies.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, LPA and stakeholders.
• Acting as a senior contact for clients and providing high-quality planning advice.
• Managing project teams and coordinating external consultants and specialists.
• Reviewing planning policy, history and constraints to inform strategies.
• Identifying opportunities and risks early and proposing proactive solutions.
• Supporting Directors with growth and development of the business.
• Developing new client relationships and contributing to business development and fee generation.
• Growing professional network and identifying new opportunities.
• Supporting delivery of consultancy growth plans.
• Mentoring and developing junior and senior planning team members.
• Contributing to recruitment and team-building as the business grows.
• Representing the consultancy at meetings, events and industry functions.

Skills

Town planning

Client management

Business development

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

RTPI MRTPI desirable

Education

Town Planning degree or allied discipline

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director – Town Planning

Location: Altrincham

Penguin Recruitment are delighted to be supporting an ambitious and growing planning and development consultancy with the appointment of an Associate Director to join their expanding team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to join a consultancy at an exciting stage of its growth, with genuine opportunities to take on increased responsibility, develop client relationships and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business.

The Role

As an Associate Director, you will play a key role in the continued growth and development of the consultancy, combining project leadership, client management, business development and team development.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of a diverse portfolio of projects, work closely with Directors and senior stakeholders, and play an important role in the continued success and growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing and leading a diverse portfolio of planning projects from inception through to completion.
• * Providing strategic and commercially focused planning advice to a range of clients.
• * Leading on complex planning applications, development proposals and planning strategies.
• * Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, Local Planning Authorities and key stakeholders.
• * Acting as a senior point of contact for clients and providing high-quality, commercially aware planning advice.
• * Managing project teams and coordinating external consultants and technical specialists.
• * Reviewing planning policy, planning history and development constraints to formulate effective planning strategies.
• * Identifying opportunities and potential risks at an early stage and developing proactive solutions.
• * Supporting Directors with the continued growth and development of the business.
• * Developing new client relationships and contributing to business development and fee generation.
• * Growing your own professional network and identifying new opportunities.
• * Supporting the development and delivery of the consultancy’s growth plans.
• * Supporting, mentoring and developing junior and senior members of the planning team.
• * Contributing to recruitment and team-building activities as the business continues to grow.
• * Representing the consultancy at meetings, events and industry functions.

About You:

• Relevant degree in Town Planning, Geography, Environmental Planning or a related discipline.
• * Significant experience within town planning, ideally gained within a planning consultancy.
• * Strong understanding of the UK planning system, planning policy and development management.
• * Proven experience managing complex planning projects and providing strategic planning advice.
• * Strong client-facing experience with the ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships.
• * Commercially aware with a proven interest in business development and winning new work.
• * Strong leadership and project management skills.
• * Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• * Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• * Experience mentoring and developing junior members of a planning team.
• * RTPI Chartered or working towards MRTPI is highly desirable.
• * Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be advantageous.

What’s on Offer:

• * 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• * Option to buy or sell additional annual leave.
• * Company bonus scheme.
• * Company pension.
• * Career break policy.
• * Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• * Diverse and interesting project portfolio across the UK.
• * Strong opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• * Opportunity to develop and grow your own team.
• * Strong involvement in business development and strategic growth.
• * Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• * Opportunity to make a genuine impact within a growing consultancy.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Associate Director or experienced Senior Planner looking to take the next step in their career and play a genuine role in the growth of a successful planning consultancy.