Planning Director

The Management Recruitment Group (MRG); England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK property investment firm is seeking a Planning Director to lead planning strategy across various sectors. Responsibilities include managing planning applications, engaging with stakeholders, and providing commercial insights. The ideal candidate is MRTPI qualified with significant experience in London planning policy. This is a full-time role based in the UK.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualified with extensive post-qualification experience.
• Proven success in securing planning consents for complex schemes.
• Strong understanding of London planning policy and GLA procedures.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement planning strategy across the portfolio.
• Provide planning input to acquisitions and feasibility studies.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Planning policy understanding

Leadership

Education

MRTPI qualification

Job description

Location & Employment

London, United Kingdom | Full‑time, Permanent

Overview

A privately held UK property investment and development business is seeking a Planning Director to lead planning strategy and delivery across a diverse national portfolio.

The group manages assets across commercial, residential, mixed‑use, hospitality, and alternative sectors, with a strong track record of value creation through active asset management, redevelopment, and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and implement planning strategy across the portfolio, identify opportunities to unlock value, and anticipate planning policy and market changes.
• Commercial & Investment Support: Provide planning input to acquisitions, due diligence, repositioning, feasibility studies, design briefs, and appraisals.
• Planning Execution: Lead planning applications, pre‑application discussions, appeals, and negotiations. Manage external consultant teams and ensure submissions are aligned with commercial objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, statutory bodies, and other key stakeholders. Represent the business at committees, consultations, and public forums.
• Internal Collaboration: Partner with development, investment, and asset teams. Provide internal guidance, mentor colleagues, and contribute to strategic and capital decision-making.
• MRTPI qualified with extensive post‑qualification experience.
• Proven success in securing planning consents for complex schemes, particularly in London and the South East.
• Strong understanding of London planning policy, GLA procedures, and emerging trends.
• Experience advising investors, developers, or major landowners.
• Commercially astute with the ability to assess viability and balance planning ambition with financial outcomes.
• Confident communicator and negotiator with senior‑level stakeholder engagement experience.
• Pragmatic, solution‑oriented, and capable of leading both strategy and delivery.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification with extensive post‑qualification experience.
• Proven success securing planning consents for complex schemes, especially in London and the South East.
• Strong grasp of London planning policy, GLA procedures, emerging trends.
• Experience advising investors, developers, or major landowners.
• Commercial acumen in assessing viability and balancing planning ambition with financial outcomes.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills at senior level.
• Pragmatic, solution‑oriented, leading strategy and delivery.

Contact

For a confidential discussion, please contact: Daniah Williams 07989 435 960 / [e-mail]