Associate Town Planer

Penguin Recruitment; Chilton Polden; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A planning consultancy in South West England is seeking an Associate Town Planner to lead a variety of projects, including residential and commercial schemes. This role offers autonomy, project leadership, and a pathway to senior leadership. Ideal candidates should be MRTPI qualified with strong consultancy experience and communication skills, capable of managing complex planning applications and fostering client relationships.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong experience in consultancy or a development-focused planning role.
• Confident working independently and managing projects from inception to delivery.
• Ambitious, proactive and seeking a role with clear progression potential.

Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering complex planning applications and appeals.
• Providing strategic planning advice to developers, landowners and private-sector clients.
• Leading pre-application discussions and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Supporting and mentoring junior planners within the team.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships.

Skills

Consultancy experience

Communication skills

Client management

Report writing

Project management

Education

MRTPI qualified

Job description

Associate Town Planner - Established Planning Consultancy

Location: South West England | Salary: Competitive + Benefits

We are partnering with a highly regarded, long‑standing planning consultancy that is seeking to appoint an Associate Town Planner to support the expansion of their South West team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner who wants to take a leading role in shaping high‑quality planning outcomes across the region.

The Role

As an Associate Planner, you will lead on a varied portfolio of projects including residential, commercial, rural, heritage and mixed‑use schemes. The consultancy is well known for its strong technical reputation, strategic advice and close client relationships. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a role combining autonomy, project leadership and direct client interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering complex planning applications and appeals
• Providing strategic planning advice to developers, landowners and private‑sector clients
• Leading pre‑application discussions and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Supporting and mentoring junior planners within the team
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships to support continued business growth

About You

• MRTPI qualified
• Strong experience in consultancy or a development‑focused planning role
• Excellent communication, report writing and client management skills
• Confident working independently and managing projects from inception to delivery
• Ambitious, proactive and seeking a role with clear progression potential

Why Join?

You will be joining a supportive and collaborative consultancy with a strong regional reputation and a healthy pipeline of South West projects. The role offers genuine autonomy, a clear route to senior leadership, and the opportunity to influence the future direction of the team.

If you are an Associate Planner, or a Senior Planner ready to step up, and would like a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please get in touch. I would be happy to share more details about the position and the consultancy.