Planning Manager

tdm recruitment; Southampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

tdm recruitment in the United Kingdom is seeking a Planning Manager for a forward-thinking SME housebuilder with a growing land portfolio in the South East. You will take genuine ownership of applications from feasibility through to determination, and you will work hands-on with landowners, agents and planning authorities.

This role is for someone who wants to be close to the detail — running sites, guiding strategic land promotions, attending pre-application meetings and planning committees,

Qualifications

• Proven track record in planning across residential development and land promotion.
• Strong knowledge of planning systems, local plan processes and the NPPF.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills for senior stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to sites and meetings across the South East.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of live planning applications across the South East, from outline to discharge of conditions.
• Lead preparation and submission of planning applications with external consultants (planning, highways, ecology, landscape, heritage).
• Oversee strategic land promotions, site assessments, land agreements and long-term planning strategy in the local plan process.
• Represent the business at pre-application meetings, planning committees and public consultations.
• Build and maintain relationships with LPAs, parish councils, ward members and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with land, technical and commercial teams to align planning strategy with viability and delivery timescales.
• Monitor local plan reviews, call for sites, and emerging planning policy to identify opportunities.
• Prepare and present planning appraisals and reports to the board for land acquisition decisions.
• Instruct and manage external consultants, ensuring programme and budget compliance.
• Support the appeals process and liaise with planning counsel when required.

Skills

Planning experience

Stakeholder engagement

Site viability assessment

RTPI membership or studying

Education

Planning or geography degree

Job description

Our client is an ambitious, well-regarded SME housebuilder with a growing land portfolio spanning both immediate consented sites and longer-term strategic promotions. As the business scales its delivery pipeline, they are looking to appoint a Planning Manager who can take genuine ownership of applications from feasibility through to determination and beyond.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who wants to be close to the detail — running their own sites, working directly with landowners, agents, and local planning authorities, and seeing schemes through rather than simply overseeing them from a distance.

The Role

• Manage a portfolio of live planning applications across the South East, from outline and reserved matters through to discharge of conditions
• Lead the preparation and submission of planning applications, working closely with external consultant teams (planning, highways, ecology, landscape, heritage)
• Take day-to-day responsibility for strategic land promotions, including site assessment, land agreements, and long-term planning strategy in the local plan process
• Represent the business at pre-application meetings, planning committees, and public consultation events
• Build and maintain relationships with local planning authorities, parish councils, ward members, and other key stakeholders
• Work closely with land, technical, and commercial teams to ensure planning strategy aligns with site viability and delivery timescales
• Monitor local plan reviews, call for sites processes, and emerging planning policy to identify new land opportunities
• Prepare and present planning appraisals and reports to the board as part of land acquisition decision-making
• Instruct, brief, and manage external consultants, holding them to programme and budget
• Support the appeals process where required, including liaison with planning counsel

About You

• Proven track record in planning gained either housebuilder, developer, or land promoter side, or from a relevant planning consultancy background with in-house exposure
• Genuine experience across both immediate (consented/near-term) sites and strategic land / long-term promotions — this is a dual requirement, not a preference
• Strong working knowledge of the planning system, local plan process, and the NPPF
• Confident managing multiple live applications simultaneously, with the organisation to prioritise across a varied portfolio
• Comfortable working hands-on and close to the detail — this is not a purely strategic or oversight position
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the credibility to engage effectively with LPAs, consultants, landowners, and agents
• Commercially minded, with an understanding of how planning strategy affects site viability and land value
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting to senior stakeholders
• A relevant degree (planning, geography, or similar) and RTPI membership (or working towards) would be advantageous but is not essential for the right candidate
• Full UK driving licence, with willingness to travel to sites and meetings as required