Associate Town Planning Director

Vivid Resourcing; Wareham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing Ltd in Wareham is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Town Planning to lead a senior portfolio and drive strategic planning advice for landowners, developers and clients. This role blends hands-on technical work with client management and team leadership.

You will oversee planning applications and appeals, support growth of the consultancy, mentor colleagues, and build strong stakeholder relationships across the region.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline.
• Chartered MRTPI membership.
• Significant experience in planning consultancy or related environment.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system, including development management and policy.
• Experience managing complex projects and advising on planning strategy and development potential.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and ability to identify opportunities for business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from feasibility to delivery.
• Prepare and oversee planning applications, appeals, representations and planning statements.
• Provide strategic planning advice to clients on development opportunities and policy.
• Manage relationships with local planning authorities, clients, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Identify new business opportunities and support consultancy growth.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships to secure repeat work.
• Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to team development.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation and guidance to keep advice commercially robust.

Skills

Planning leadership

Client management

Project management

Stakeholder negotiation

Team mentoring

Business development

Communication

Education

Town Planning degree

MRTPI Chartered

Job description

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Sector: Planning Consultancy

Working Pattern: Full-time, with flexible working options

Associate Director – Town Planning | Wareham

We are working with an established planning consultancy in Dorset that is looking to appoint an experienced Associate Director – Town Planning to join its team in Wareham.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planning professional to take on a senior role within a growing consultancy, leading on a diverse portfolio of projects and playing a key part in the continued development of the business.

The successful candidate will bring strong technical planning expertise, proven experience in managing complex planning applications and appeals, and the ability to build lasting relationships with clients and key stakeholders. You will work across a varied range of projects, providing strategic planning advice to landowners, developers and other clients, while supporting the growth and development of the wider team.

The Role

As Associate Director, you will take a leading role in the delivery of planning projects, combining hands‑on technical work with client management, business development and team leadership.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing a varied portfolio of planning projects, from initial feasibility through to planning determination and delivery.
• Preparing and overseeing planning applications, appeals, representations and supporting planning statements.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients on development opportunities, planning policy and site promotion.
• Managing relationships with local planning authorities, clients, consultants and other key stakeholders.
• Identifying new business opportunities and supporting the continued growth of the consultancy.
• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships, helping to secure repeat business and long‑term partnerships.
• Supporting and mentoring junior colleagues, contributing to the development of the wider planning team.
• Monitoring changes in planning legislation, policy and guidance to ensure advice remains commercially relevant and technically robust.

About You

We are looking to speak with experienced planning professionals who are ready to take the next step in their career or who are already operating at Associate Director level.

You will ideally have:

• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy, property business or local authority planning environment.
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system, including development management, planning policy and the preparation of planning applications and appeals.
• Experience managing complex projects and advising clients on planning strategy and development potential.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities for business growth.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and contributing to the development of a team.

A background in residential, commercial, strategic land or mixed‑use development would be beneficial, although candidates with a broader planning consultancy background will also be considered.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a well‑established regional consultancy with an interesting project portfolio and strong local market presence. The role offers scope to take ownership of key client relationships, influence project strategy and contribute directly to the future direction of the business.

For an experienced planner looking for greater responsibility, a more client‑facing position and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution within a close‑knit consultancy, this could be an excellent next move.