Associate Town Planner Associate Director

Penguin Recruitment; Morley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in Leeds seeks an experienced Associate Town Planner. In this hybrid role, you will lead significant planning applications, mentor junior staff, and play a vital part in expanding the business. Ideal candidates will have an RTPI-accredited degree, MRTPI status, and substantial consultancy experience. The position offers competitive compensation, private medical insurance, and a chance to shape the regional team's growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Private medical insurance

Paid professional subscriptions

Career development

Flexible hours

Qualifications

• Must hold MRTPI status.
• Experience in managing complex planning applications.
• Ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead major planning applications and land promotion projects.
• Provide expert planning advice and strategic guidance to clients.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Prepare and present reports and planning submissions.
• Oversee junior team members and support their development.
• Contribute to regional business planning.
• Represent the business at appeal hearings and meetings.

Skills

RTPI-accredited degree

Significant UK consultancy experience

Project management

Client-facing confidence

Strong communication skills

Solutions-focused mindset

Passion for strategic planning

Education

RTPI-accredited degree

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Associate Town Planner Associate Director

Location: Leeds (Hybrid Working Available)

Penguin Recruitment is proud to be supporting a nationally recognised and fast-growing planning and design consultancy in their search for an Associate Town Planner to join their dynamic team in Leeds.

This leading consultancy has rapidly established itself as one of the top 20 planning firms in the UK, boasting a multidisciplinary team of over 50 planners working across six regional hubs. Their comprehensive service offering includes planning, socio-economics, heritage, design, and architecture. With a strong track record in strategic residential-led development, they work with major housebuilders, developers, land promoters and investment companies across the country.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Planner, you will play a key leadership role in the North of England, helping to shape and deliver high-profile planning strategies and applications, while supporting the wider growth and success of the regional office.

This is a rare opportunity to help build something within an already successful national framework - offering autonomy, flexibility and the backing of a multidisciplinary team. You will help mentor junior staff, lead client relationships, and contribute directly to the business development strategy in the North.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading major planning applications and land promotion projects
• Providing expert planning advice and strategic guidance to clients
• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships
• Preparing and presenting reports, planning submissions and representations
• Overseeing junior team members and supporting their development
• Contributing to regional business planning and supporting fee proposals
• Representing the business at appeal hearings, examinations, and stakeholder meetings

What You'll Need

• RTPI-accredited degree and MRTPI status
• Significant UK consultancy or developer-side planning experience
• Track record of managing projects and leading on complex planning applications
• Excellent commercial awareness and confidence in client-facing situations
• Strong communication skills and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• A passion for strategic planning and delivering quality outcomes

What's On Offer

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Private medical insurance and other market-leading benefits
• Hybrid working and flexible hours to suit your lifestyle
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Career development within a supportive and growing national business
• Opportunity to shape the growth and direction of the Leeds and wider Northern region

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on (phone number removed) or (url removed)