Associate Town Planner | Planning Director

Penguin Recruitment; South Stoke; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an Associate Town Planner to join a respected independent planning consultancy with projects across England and Wales. You will lead a varied portfolio, provide expert planning advice, and manage applications and appeals for private and public sector clients.

Ideal candidates will have MRTPI status or working towards chartership, strong report-writing skills, and a commercial mindset. Hybrid working and clear progression opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• MRTPI status or working towards chartership for Associate level.
• Experience in either consultancy or local authority planning.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Commercial mindset with ability to manage client relationships.
• Experience leading projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• For Director level, business development and leadership experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a varied portfolio of planning projects.
• Provide expert planning advice to private and public sector clients.
• Prepare and manage planning applications and appeals.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Mentor and support junior team members.
• Contribute to business development and future growth.
• Work on projects of varying scale delivering positive outcomes.

Skills

MRTPI status

Report writing

Client relationships

Project leadership

Team coordination

Business development

Commercial mindset

Job description

Job Title: Associate Town Planner - Planning Director
Location: Banbury

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a highly respected independent planning consultancy in their search for talented planning professionals ranging from Associate Town Planner through to Planning Director level.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a specialist consultancy with an established reputation for delivering expert planning advice across England and Wales. The team works on a diverse portfolio of projects including residential, mixed-use, commercial, leisure, and community developments, providing strategic guidance through every stage of the planning process.

The Opportunity

• Lead and manage a varied portfolio of planning projects.
• Provide expert planning advice to a broad range of private and public sector clients.
• Prepare and manage planning applications and appeals.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Mentor and support junior team members (Associate and Director levels).
• Contribute to business development and help shape the future growth of the practice.
• Work on projects of varying scale and complexity, delivering positive planning outcomes.

About You

• MRTPI status (or working towards chartership for Associate-level candidates).
• Strong experience within either consultancy or local authority planning.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• A commercial mindset and the ability to manage client relationships.
• Experience leading projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• For Director-level applicants, proven business development and leadership experience would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to join an established and highly regarded planning consultancy.
• Diverse and high-profile project portfolio.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression and leadership.
• Hybrid working and a strong focus on professional development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you’re an ambitious planner looking to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.