Associate Planner

Penguin Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in the UK is seeking an ambitious Associate Town Planner to take a leadership role within their expanding York team. This position involves managing a diverse portfolio of planning projects, providing expert advice, and mentoring junior planners. The ideal candidate will be MRTPI qualified with proven consultancy experience. The consultancy offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth, including progression to Director level.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-related bonus

25 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme

Professional subscriptions paid

Opportunity for progression to Director level

Qualifications

• Chartered planner with MRTPI qualification or equivalent.
• Experience delivering complex planning projects.
• Knowledge of UK planning policy and procedures.
• Strong communication and report writing skills.
• Experience in mentoring and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept to determination.
• Manage a portfolio of residential, commercial and renewable projects.
• Prepare and submit planning applications and appeals.
• Lead stakeholder consultations and planning committees.
• Contribute to business development and mentor junior planners.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Report writing

Presentation skills

Problem-solving

Education

MRTPI qualified

Job description

Associate Town Planner - York (Hybrid)
Salary: 55,000 - 65,000 + bonus + benefits

Are you an ambitious and commercially minded Associate Town Planner ready to take a leadership role in a growing consultancy? We're working with a well‑established, multi‑disciplinary practice that's expanding its York planning team and looking for an experienced professional to play a key role in their continued success.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected consultancy delivering a diverse mix of residential, commercial, and mixed‑use projects across the UK. The business combines planning, architecture, and engineering expertise under one roof – offering a genuinely collaborative environment where planners have the resources and support to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

The Role

As Associate Town Planner, you'll lead projects from initial concept through to determination, acting as a trusted advisor to clients and supporting the development of junior colleagues. You'll work closely with internal design and technical teams, giving you full visibility of the planning process and the chance to influence key development outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing a broad portfolio of planning projects across sectors including residential, commercial, and renewable energy.

• Providing expert planning advice and strategy to clients.

• Preparing and submitting planning applications, appeals, and supporting documents.

• Leading client meetings, stakeholder consultations, and planning committees.

• Contributing to business development and mentoring junior planners.

About You

You'll be a chartered planner (MRTPI) with proven consultancy experience and the confidence to manage projects and client relationships independently. A strong commercial mindset, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving will be key to success in this role.

Requirements:

• MRTPI qualified (or equivalent).

• Demonstrable experience delivering complex planning projects.

• Sound knowledge of UK planning policy and procedures.

• Strong report writing and presentation skills.

• Experience leading teams or mentoring junior staff.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and performance‑related bonus.

• Hybrid working with modern York city‑centre offices.

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.

• Pension scheme and professional subscriptions paid.

• Genuine progression to Director level within a supportive, growing business.

If you're looking to take the next step in your planning career with a forward‑thinking consultancy that values autonomy, collaboration, and professional growth – we'd love to hear from you.