Associate Town Planner Associate Director

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Associate Town Planner / Associate Director to join their Planning team in Scotland. The role involves leading complex, nationally significant projects across energy, infrastructure and major development sectors, with opportunities to influence strategy and grow client relationships.

The successful candidate will have substantial consultancy experience, strong project management skills, and a track record of managing complex applications.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in town planning consultancy.
• Proven track record delivering complex planning applications and strategic developments.
• Experience with energy sector, infrastructure, DCO or other major developments desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a range of nationally significant planning projects.
• Support major energy sector projects and other consenting processes.
• Provide expert planning advice across large-scale infrastructure schemes (DCO/NSD).
• Collaborate with clients and multidisciplinary teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Help develop the Scottish planning workstream and market presence.

Job description

Job Title: Associate Town Planner Associate Director

Location: Scotland

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multidisciplinary consultancy with the appointment of an experienced Associate Town Planner / Associate Director to join their growing Planning team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior planning professional to play a key role in developing and expanding the planning workstream across Scotland, with a particular focus on major infrastructure and energy sector projects. The successful candidate can be based anywhere in Scotland, with homeworking considered for the right individual.

The role would suit an ambitious planning professional looking to take the next step in their career, helping to shape and grow a team while delivering high-profile and complex planning projects across Scotland and the wider UK.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading and delivering a range of nationally significant planning projects, supporting clients across sectors including energy, infrastructure and major development.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and delivering complex planning applications and strategic development projects.
• Supporting major energy sector projects, including Section 36/37 applications and other consenting processes.
• Providing expert planning advice across large-scale infrastructure schemes, including DCO and nationally significant developments.
• Working closely with clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Helping to build and develop the Scottish planning workstream and strengthen market presence.
• Supporting projects across Scotland, while also contributing to major applications and DCO projects elsewhere in the UK.

About You

We are seeking an experienced planning professional with a strong background in delivering complex planning projects within a consultancy environment.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within town planning consultancy.
• A proven track record of managing complex planning applications and strategic developments.
• Experience within the energy sector, infrastructure, DCO, defence or other major development sectors would be highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the Scottish planning system and consenting processes.
• Experience with Section 36/37 applications or other energy-related consenting routes would be advantageous, though not essential.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage client relationships and lead projects effectively.
• A commercial mindset with the ambition to support business growth and develop new opportunities.

Candidates with experience solely in smaller-scale planning applications will not be suitable; this role requires exposure to complex, strategic developments.

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading consultancy and play an influential role in the continued growth of their Scottish Planning team. You will work on nationally important projects, develop client relationships and help shape the future direction of the business.