Principal Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Thetford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Planner to lead complex infrastructure projects. This role involves managing a dedicated team, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and driving business development initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant planning degree and MRTPI membership, alongside strong communication and organizational skills. Join a forward-thinking consultancy that values collaboration and personal development, contributing to high-profile projects that support the UK's journey to Net Zero by 2050.

Benefits

Annual Performance Bonus

25 Days Holiday + Birthday Off

Private Healthcare via Vitality

Flexible Working

Enhanced Parental Leave Policies

Pension Scheme

Study Leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Sabbatical Leave

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

Qualifications

• Chartered Membership of the RTPI and relevant planning degree required.
• Experience in infrastructure, utilities, or major development projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team delivering planning input across major utility and infrastructure projects.
• Manage planning applications and ensure alignment with environmental policies.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Report Writing

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

GIS Knowledge

Education

Planning Degree

Chartered Membership of the RTPI (MRTPI)

Job description

Principal Planner – Infrastructure & Utilities
Location: Thetford, Leatherhead and Bicester

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a dynamic multi-disciplinary consultancy at the forefront of some of the UK’s most high-profile infrastructure and utilities projects.

This award-winning consultancy delivers expert planning and environmental services across sectors such as renewable energy, water, transport, and telecoms. With projects ranging from HS2 and nuclear energy to offshore wind, they are helping drive the UK toward Net Zero by 2050. Their culture is collaborative, forward-thinking, and people-focused – offering a true team environment where ideas and personal development are championed.

Due to continued growth, their Environmental and Planning Team is seeking an experienced Principal Planner to join them and lead on a range of complex projects across their national portfolio.

The Role

As a Principal Planner, you will:

• Lead or manage a small team, delivering expert planning input across major utility and infrastructure projects.
• Manage planning applications, appraisals, and development consents, ensuring projects align with environmental policy and regulations.
• Act as a key advisor to clients and stakeholders, drawing on internal and external expertise to achieve project objectives.
• Play a central role in business development, cross-selling wider services, and improving internal processes.
• Support junior team members through mentoring and effective line management, helping shape the future leaders of the business.
• Contribute to internal initiatives and represent the business at events and forums.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant planning degree and Chartered Membership of the RTPI (MRTPI).
• A solid background in planning within infrastructure, utilities, or major development projects.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and report-writing skills.
• A commercially aware mindset and a collaborative approach to project delivery.
• Strong organisational skills and a proactive attitude.
• Knowledge of GIS and a good understanding of environmental planning disciplines.
• A full UK driving licence.

Benefits

• Annual performance bonus
• 25 days holiday + birthday off
• Private healthcare via Vitality
• Flexible working and support for working families
• Enhanced parental leave policies
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Study leave and professional development support
• Cycle to work scheme and EV salary sacrifice (after 1 year)
• Sabbatical leave (after 3 years)
• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Regular company-wide and local office events

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on 01792362010 or [e-mail]