Leeds Town Planning Lead — Associate Director

Penguin Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead and grow its Leeds-based town planning presence. The role involves owning the Leeds regional footprint, acquiring new clients, and delivering high-quality planning projects alongside a wider national team.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with strong relationships in Leeds/Yorkshire, comfortable representing the consultancy at meetings, networking events and industry gatherings.

Qualifications

• Experience in a private planning consultancy.
• Strong knowledge of Leeds/Yorkshire planning market.
• Existing relationships across Leeds and Yorkshire.
• Familiar with local authorities and key stakeholders.
• Self-starter who can work independently and manage workload.
• Confident representing a consultancy at client meetings and events.
• Commercially minded with ability to develop and maintain client relationships.
• Able to commute to Leeds regularly and travel to Kent/London as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and represent the consultancy across Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.
• Provide high-quality planning advice and deliver a range of planning projects for clients.
• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities and client instructions.
• Attend networking events, industry meetings and client meetings to raise the profile of the business.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, consultants, developers and other stakeholders.
• Develop the Leeds presence and help recruit additional team members over time.
• Manage workload autonomously while collaborating with the wider planning team.
• Travel periodically to Kent and London for team meetings and activities.
• Contribute to the company profile through networking, speaking opportunities and industry involvement.

Skills

Private planning consultancy

Leeds/Yorkshire planning market

Client relationships

Business development

Self-starting / independent

Willing to travel to Kent/London

Commercial mindset

Job description

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead and grow its Leeds-based town planning presence. The role involves owning the Leeds regional footprint, acquiring new clients, and delivering high-quality planning projects alongside a wider national team.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with strong relationships in Leeds/Yorkshire, comfortable representing the consultancy at meetings, networking events and industry gatherings.