Associate Town Planner / Associate Director

Penguin Recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Paid professional subscriptions

Hybrid working

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment seeks an Associate Planner or Associate Director in Bristol, with hybrid working. Join a leading UK planning consultancy and take a leadership role shaping growth across the South West and Thames Valley.

You will advance planning applications, advise on land and policy, and develop client relationships while helping steer the business forward with a proactive, collaborative approach.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline
• MRTPI qualification
• Strong local/regional planning experience
• In-depth understanding of the UK planning system
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commercial awareness with a proactive BD mindset
• Driven, enthusiastic, collaborative team player

Responsibilities

• Advise on development potential of land and buildings
• Lead and support preparation of planning applications and appeals
• Provide policy advice and inform planning strategies
• Draft representations for Local Plan consultations and examinations
• Identify and assess land opportunities
• Manage projects from strategy to securing planning permission
• Represent clients at planning appeals and Local Plan examinations
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Support business development and growth initiatives
• Contribute to projects from day one with clients and colleagues

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Business development

Team player

Attention to detail

Communication

Commercial awareness

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in Town Planning

MRTPI

Job description

Associate Planner / Associate Director

Location: Bristol (Hybrid Working Available)

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading UK planning consultancy in their search for an Associate Planner or Associate Director to join their growing team in Bristol.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to take on a leadership role within a dynamic and ambitious consultancy, contributing to continued growth across the South West and Thames Valley.

Opportunity

You’ll be joining a well‑established, multi‑disciplinary consultancy with a strong reputation in the market, working on a diverse portfolio of strategic planning projects, with a focus on planning applications and land promotion for residential development.

This role is suited to someone with strong regional experience who is keen to develop client relationships, grow their own workload, and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on the development potential of land and buildings
• Lead and support the preparation of planning applications and appeals
• Provide policy advice and research to inform planning strategies
• Draft representations for Local Plan consultations and examinations
• Identify and assess land opportunities
• Manage projects from early strategy through to securing planning permission
• Represent clients at planning appeals and Local Plan examinations
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Support business development and growth initiatives
• Be involved in projects from day one, working closely with clients, colleagues, and external consultants to deliver successful outcomes. There will also be opportunities to raise your professional profile through thought leadership and industry publications.

About You

• Degree‑qualified in Town Planning or a related discipline
• MRTPI qualified
• Strong experience within the local/regional planning market
• In‑depth understanding of the UK planning system
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and high standards of work
• Commercial awareness with a proactive approach to business development
• Driven, enthusiastic, and a collaborative team player

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary with an attractive benefits package
• Private medical insurance and paid professional subscriptions
• A culture built on trust, autonomy, and empowerment
• The opportunity to influence regional business strategy
• Exposure to a wide variety of high‑quality projects
• Flexible, hybrid working arrangements tailored to you

About the Business

Our client is a rapidly growing, top‑tier UK planning consultancy with a strong national presence and a multidisciplinary offering including socio‑economic, heritage, master‑planning, and architectural services.