Planning Manager

tdm recruitment; Northampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client in Northamptonshire seeks an experienced Senior Planner to lead sites through the planning system from allocation to consent. You will manage multidisciplinary teams and promote sites via Local Plan processes, while building relationships with authorities and stakeholders to accelerate consents.

Applicants should have a Town Planning degree, RTPI progress, and 5+ years of post-qualification experience with a track record on large sites. Travel across portfolio may be required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline.
• RTPI membership preferred or working towards.
• 5+ years post-qualification experience in land promotion, housebuilder, or planning consultancy.
• Proven track record securing consents on strategic sites (100+ units).

Responsibilities

• Lead outline and detailed planning applications for strategic residential-led sites.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver planning strategies on time and budget.
• Promote sites through Local Plan processes and examinations.
• Build relationships with Local Planning Authorities and stakeholders to de-risk consents.
• Negotiate Section 106 and CIL matters with legal/commercial colleagues.
• Instruct and manage Counsel and expert witnesses for inquiries/hearings.
• Monitor planning policy changes and assess impacts on land portfolio.
• Support land acquisition with planning due diligence and site appraisal.
• Present strategies and risk assessments to investment committees.
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to team development.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Local Plan processes

Planning policy knowledge

Presenting to committees

Mentoring juniors

Project coordination

Education

Town Planning degree

RTPI membership (or working towards)

Job description

Our client, a leading strategic land promoter, is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to join their growing team, taking a lead role in progressing sites through the planning system from allocation to consent.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and submission of outline and detailed planning applications for strategic residential-led sites
• Manage multi-disciplinary consultant teams (highways, ecology, landscape, heritage, drainage) to deliver planning strategies on time and on budget
• Promote sites through Local Plan processes, including Call for Sites submissions, Regulation 18/19 representations, and Examination in Public participation
• Build and maintain relationships with Local Planning Authorities, Members, and key stakeholders to de-risk and accelerate consents
• Negotiate Section 106 agreements and CIL matters alongside legal and commercial colleagues
• Instruct and manage Counsel and expert witnesses for public inquiries and hearings where required
• Monitor planning policy changes (NPPF, local plan reviews) and assess implications for the land portfolio
• Support land acquisition teams with planning due diligence and site appraisal for new opportunities
• Present planning strategies and risk assessments to internal investment committees
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to the wider team's technical development

Experience & Requirements:

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline; RTPI membership (or working towards) preferred
• 5+ years' post-qualification experience, ideally within a land promotion, housebuilder, or planning consultancy environment
• Demonstrable track record of securing consents on strategic sites (100+ units)
• Strong working knowledge of Local Plan processes and plan-making
• Experience presenting at Planning Committee and/or Public Inquiry
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, comfortable engaging with council officers, elected members, and communities
• Commercially minded, with an understanding of viability and land value implications of planning strategy
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the site portfolio