Planning Director

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

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy is seeking a Planning Director for their new office in Leeds. The role offers the chance to establish and grow a high-performing team while driving client relationships and projects to successful delivery. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial and well-connected within the North Yorkshire planning market. This opportunity provides genuine autonomy, strong support, and significant progression potential.

Benefits

Equity/bonus potential

Long-term incentives

Supportive national network

Qualifications

• Experience in establishing and growing a planning office.
• Strong connections in the Yorkshire/North planning market.
• Confidence in winning contracts and building partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the setup of a new office in Leeds.
• Develop a high-performing planning team.
• Drive projects from instruction to delivery.
• Contribute to national business strategy.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Commercial awareness

Client relationship management

High-quality planning advice

Team collaboration

Job description

Planning Director - New Leeds Office

Location: Leeds

Salary: Highly competitive + equity/bonus potential

The Role

• 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