Planning Director

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK planning consultancy is seeking an entrepreneurial Planning Director to establish and lead its new office in Leeds. This unique opportunity requires a senior planning professional to drive the setup, develop a high-performing team, and enhance client relationships across sectors. Join a reputable firm with real progression and long-term incentives within a supportive national network.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity/bonus potential

Leadership influence

Qualifications

• Experienced in a senior planning role or Associate Director ready to step up.
• Well-connected in the Yorkshire/North planning market.
• A proven track record of winning work and fostering client partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the setup and growth of a new office.
• Generate new business and nurture client relationships.
• Represent the business regionally and contribute to national strategy.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Client relationship building

Commercial awareness

High-quality planning advice

Team leadership

Job description

Planning Director – New Leeds Office
Location: Leeds
Salary: Highly competitive + equity/bonus potential

A leading UK planning consultancy is embarking on an exciting phase of growth and is seeking an entrepreneurial Planning Director to establish and lead its brand-new Leeds office.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior planning professional who wants more than a traditional Director role. You will be the driving force behind launching, shaping, and growing a new regional presence for an established, respected consultancy with a strong national platform.

The Role

As Planning Director, you will:

• Lead the setup and strategic growth of a new Leeds office from the ground up

• Bring energy and ambition to develop a high-performing planning team

• Generate new business and nurture existing client relationships across sectors

• Drive projects from initial instruction through to successful delivery

• Represent the business regionally and contribute to national strategy

• Enjoy genuine autonomy, backed by strong central operational and technical support

About You

We’re looking for a Planning Director – or an Associate Director ready to step up – who is:

• Entrepreneurial, commercially minded, and excited by the challenge of building an office

• Well-connected in the Yorkshire/North planning market

• Confident winning work and fostering long-term client partnerships

• Skilled in delivering high-quality planning advice across a range of sectors

• Collaborative, people-focused, and eager to shape a new team culture

Why This Opportunity?

• Join a consultancy with an exceptional reputation and a diverse, robust project pipeline

• Play a defining role in opening and scaling a new office

• Benefit from real progression, long-term incentives, and leadership influence

• Work within a supportive national network while creating something uniquely yours

If you’re ready to take ownership of a new chapter – both for yourself and for a growing consultancy – we would love to speak with you.

To express interest or request a confidential conversation, please get in touch.