Associate Planning Director / Planning Director

Bloomfields Limited; Hythe; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Work from home opportunity

Job summary

Bloomfields Limited is seeking an Associate Planning Director to join their award-winning consultancy in Kent. This role includes overseeing planning work across Kent, East Sussex, Surrey, and London, leading a team to ensure high-quality project delivery and fostering client relationships.

The ideal candidate will possess expert knowledge of planning regulations and business development capabilities, alongside strong leadership and communication skills, to nurture junior colleagues and manage projects effectively.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing planning applications independently.
• Ability to nurture junior colleagues toward accreditations.
• Comfort with leading projects from enquiry to decision.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and managing submissions.
• Providing expert planning advice to clients.
• Building client relationships for new business opportunities.

Skills

Expert knowledge of planning regulations

Business generation

Leadership and team management

Communication skills

Education

MRTPI or MRICS (desired)

Job description

Associate Planning Director / Planning Director

Bloomfields has a fantastic opportunity for you to join our award winning planning consultancy as an Associate Director/ Director based in the heart of Kent and overseeing planning work across Kent, East Sussex, Surrey and London.

In this role you will assist with the expanding portfolio of projects for a wide range of clients, landowners and developers as well as supporting a talented team to provide a full range of professional property services working alongside our sister company, Lambert and Foster.

Bloomfields work ranges from large commercial and residential schemes including strategic land promotion and complex rural projects, through to smaller projects that matter deeply to individuals.

What matters to us is meaningful work that supports businesses and communities and will improve people’s lives, reflecting the values we hold as a team. Clients come to us because we pride ourselves on honesty, integrity, and always striving to be the best at what we do.

We are looking for an individual who wants to take responsibility, be accountable, grow professionally and personally while supporting and encouraging the same for colleagues.

This role is perfect for an experienced professional (MRTPI or MRICS) ideally capable of generating new business but most importantly taking responsibility for overseeing planning projects, supporting colleagues with technical planning points (legislation and procedure), and maintaining the high-level of standards expected in the firm to deliver results.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing and managing submissions
• Being the principal planning point of contact at our Paddock Wood and/or Hythe office to answer general questions and to oversee planning projects
• Managing and overseeing the work undertaken by more junior colleagues and holding them to account against KPIs
• Providing expert planning advice and solutions to client and colleague queries
• Building and maintaining client relationships to generate new business opportunities; and
• Collaborating with senior management to streamline project processes and develop the business

The successful candidate must take pride in the quality of their work and be eager to take on increasing levels of ownership and responsibility. We are looking for a proactive professional committed to continuous learning and long-term growth within our team.

Job Requirements

Core requirements include:

• Expert knowledge of planning regulations and legislation
• Proven ability to generate business (exceptions can be made to those coming from a Local Planning Authority background) and retain and establish a client base
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Leading planning projects through your team from first enquiry through to decision. Preparing applications and appeals (or overseeing and supporting colleagues with these)
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
• Working directly with clients on matters that are personal and important to them
• Supporting and nurturing junior colleagues towards their accreditations, whilst working with and reporting to the board’s representatives
• A proactive approach to the role, with the ability to work independently and within a team

The work is varied and can move quickly at times, so you will need to be adaptable, comfortable with changing priorities and able to stay composed under pressure. You will have support around you, but you will need the confidence to take ownership of your part of the job and the cases that you/your team manage.

The Successful Candidate

Will already have experience managing planning applications independently, be comfortable owning projects end-to-end, and be confident in building client relationships. What matters most is:

• Good personal judgement
• Willingness to learn and improve
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to explain complex planning issues
• A requirement to be accountable for your work and that of your team
• A grounded, practical approach to planning
• Respect for clients, colleagues and the consultants we work with.

We value MRTPI, RICS or equivalent experience, but these are not essential if your background demonstrates capability, clear thinking and professional maturity and experience within the planning sector. This role will suit someone who enjoys planning as a problem-solving team discipline, cares about getting things right, and appreciates working in a team that values openness, fortitude, accountability and success.

Salary: £60,000+ with performance related bonus (Dependent on experience)

Location of role: Paddock Wood or Hythe with the opportunity to work from home

Deadline for application: 9:00am on 13th July 2026

How to apply: Please send your CV, and a covering letter to [e-mail] .

Bloomfields is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity position.