Associate Director Town Planning in Bristol)

Penguin Recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Director in Town Planning to join their national Development & Infrastructure Planning team. The role involves leading complex planning applications, managing client relationships, and mentoring junior staff. With opportunities to work on significant projects, this position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid working

Professional training

Leadership development programs

Collaborative team structure

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in planning.
• Experience leading large-scale planning projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage planning projects of varying scale and complexity.
• Develop and maintain client relationships.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Client Focus

Education

MRTPI qualified

Job description

Associate Director - Town Planning

Locations: Abingdon, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester (Hybrid Working Available)

Level: Associate / Associate Director

Sector: Town Planning / Infrastructure Planning

Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Part-Time options)

An established multi-disciplinary consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Director to join its growing national Development & Infrastructure Planning team. With opportunities available across multiple UK offices, this is a pivotal role suited for a commercially minded planner with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering high-quality planning solutions across a diverse range of projects.

What's on Offer:

* Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

* Hybrid working as standard, with flexible arrangements available.

* Access to industry-recognised professional training and leadership development programs.

* A flat and collaborative team structure, fostering innovation and cross-sector learning.

* Opportunity to work on high-profile, nationally significant projects with real impact.

About the Role

Working as part of a collaborative, cross-disciplinary planning team, you will lead the delivery of complex planning applications across a wide spectrum of sectors including residential, commercial, logistics, energy, major infrastructure, data centres, retail, and aviation. You'll contribute to business development, manage client relationships, and mentor junior planners. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence strategy and project delivery in a firm where planning is central to long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities:

* Lead and manage planning projects of varying scale and complexity.

* Develop and maintain client relationships, identifying and securing new business.

* Mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.

* Prepare and review planning applications, Local Plan representations, appeal statements, and EIA documents.

* Provide input into tender submissions and fee proposals.

* Support public inquiries, Local Plan examinations, and major consultations.

* Oversee project resourcing, finances, and compliance with client expectations.

About You:

* MRTPI qualified (or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.

* Proven experience leading on large-scale planning projects, including infrastructure and energy developments.

* Strong understanding of UK planning policy and legal frameworks.

* Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.

* Commercial acumen with a strong client focus.

How to Apply: