Associate Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in York is seeking an experienced Associate Town Planner to lead diverse planning projects. This role offers hybrid working, a competitive salary of £55,000 – £65,000 plus bonus, and excellent progression opportunities to Director level. The ideal candidate will be MRTPI qualified with proven consultancy experience and strong skills in client relationship management. Join a growing team that values innovation and professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance-related bonus

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme

Professional subscriptions paid

Progression to Director level

Qualifications

• Proven consultancy experience in planning.
• Confidence to manage projects independently.
• Strong communicator with a proactive problem-solving approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept to determination.
• Provide expert planning advice to clients.
• Prepare and submit planning applications.
• Manage client meetings and planning committees.
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to business development.

Skills

MRTPI qualification

Experience delivering complex planning projects

Sound knowledge of UK planning policy

Strong report writing skills

Communication skills

Education

Chartered planner (MRTPI)

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.