Associate Director, Town Planning - Lead Growth & Projects

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Ringway; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

Career break

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd seeks an Associate Director to lead a broad portfolio of town planning projects across the UK. You will work with Directors and senior stakeholders, taking ownership of projects and shaping growth strategies.

The role combines project leadership, client management and business development, with opportunities to mentor junior staff and contribute to recruitment and strategy. Hybrid/remote options are available.

Qualifications

• 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.

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, 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.

Skills

Town planning

Client management

Leadership

Business development

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

RTPI Chartered

Education

Town Planning degree

Geography degree

Environmental Planning degree

Job description

Penguin Recruitment Ltd seeks an Associate Director to lead a broad portfolio of town planning projects across the UK. You will work with Directors and senior stakeholders, taking ownership of projects and shaping growth strategies.

The role combines project leadership, client management and business development, with opportunities to mentor junior staff and contribute to recruitment and strategy. Hybrid/remote options are available.