Associate Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd seeks an experienced Associate Town Planner (Strategic Land) to lead promotion and delivery of strategic development sites across the UK. The role focuses on residential-led schemes, client liaison and running complex planning projects within a collaborative studio environment.

You will guide planning strategies from promotion to consent, manage budgets and timelines, and contribute to business development while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• MRTPI accreditation is required or essential.
• At least 10 years’ experience within the UK planning system.
• Proven track record in strategic land promotion and complex consents.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic site promotion, allocation strategies and planning applications.
• Manage major residential-led development schemes and multi-phase projects.
• Oversee site appraisals, feasibility studies and risk assessments.
• Provide expert planning advice on policy, case law and regulatory changes.
• Support bids, tenders and business development initiatives.
• Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to team leadership.

Skills

Strategic land

Client relations

Leadership

Business development

Education

MRTPI accreditation

10+ years UK planning experience

Job description

Job Title: Associate Town Planner (Strategic Land)

Location: Bristol, Oxford or Exeter (flexible for other UK studio locations)

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading, award-winning multidisciplinary planning and design consultancy in the appointment of an experienced Town Planner to join its growing planning team.

Recently recognised as Planning Consultancy of the Year, our client has an excellent reputation for delivering innovative, commercially focused planning solutions that help shape sustainable communities, regenerate towns and cities, and support long-term economic growth.

As a 100% employee-owned practice, the business offers a collaborative and supportive culture where people are empowered to contribute to the success of the company and the places they help create.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning professional to take a leading role in the promotion and delivery of strategic development sites, with a particular focus on residential-led schemes.

You will lead planning strategies from initial site promotion and allocation through to securing complex planning consents and supporting implementation. Working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams, you will provide commercially astute advice, manage complex projects and contribute to the continued growth of the planning practice.

The successful candidate will also play an important role in business development, client relationship management and the wider leadership of the planning team, with opportunities to influence the future direction of the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic site promotion, allocation strategies and planning applications.
• Manage complex, major and multi-phase planning schemes, including outline, detailed and reserved matters applications.
• Undertake and oversee site appraisals, feasibility studies and planning risk assessments.
• Provide expert planning advice on policy, case law, regulatory changes and planning permission flexibility.
• Support planning appeals, including acting as an Expert Witness where appropriate, and liaise with Counsel and other professional advisers.
• Lead and contribute to Local Plan examinations, Spatial Development Strategies and wider strategic plan-making.
• Develop effective post-consent strategies to support the successful delivery of development projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage project programmes and oversee budgets.
• Support bids, tenders and other work-winning activities, identifying opportunities to develop new client relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and key stakeholders.
• Contribute to business planning, service development and the strategic growth of the planning team.
• Mentor junior colleagues and provide support and leadership across the wider practice.

About You

To be considered, you will ideally have:

• MRTPI accreditation, with at least 10 years’ experience within the UK planning system.
• A strong track record in strategic land promotion, development allocations and securing complex planning consents.
• Experience managing major residential-led development schemes and multidisciplinary project teams.
• A sound understanding of planning policy, development management, strategic plan-making and the appeals process.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the confidence to advise clients and present complex planning strategies.
• Strong commercial awareness, project management skills and an interest in business development.
• The ability to develop lasting client relationships and contribute to winning new work.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial and proactive approach, with an interest in mentoring colleagues and contributing to team leadership.

What’s on Offer?

• The opportunity to join an award-winning planning and design consultancy.
• A 100% employee-owned business where collaboration and shared success are central to the culture.
• A varied portfolio of strategic development projects across multiple sectors and locations.
• The opportunity to influence major residential-led developments and shape sustainable communities.
• A multidisciplinary working environment, bringing together planning, design and environmental expertise.
• Excellent opportunities for professional development, career progression and leadership.
• A supportive culture that encourages innovation, initiative and meaningful contribution.

Location

The role can be based in Bristol, Oxford or Exeter, with flexibility for candidates located within reasonable travelling distance of other UK studios.