Principal to Associate Director Town Planner (Renewables)

Cobalt Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment is seeking an experienced Town Planner to progress from Principal Planner to Associate Director level for high-profile energy and infrastructure projects in the UK. You will lead planning strategies, advise on consents, and mentor teams while engaging key stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.

The role offers hybrid working across major UK cities, exposure to solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen and other energy schemes, and opportunities for career progression within a

Qualifications

• Experience in energy, renewables or major infrastructure planning.
• Strong understanding of DCOs, TCPA planning processes and environmental regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and consenting strategies for major energy and infrastructure developments.
• Advise on Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and TCPA applications.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams across complex projects.
• Provide strategic guidance on planning policy and EIA requirements.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement, consultations and public examinations.
• Build client relationships and support business development.
• Manage project budgets, programmes and delivery risks.
• Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to team growth.

Skills

Energy planning

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Project management

DCOs knowledge

TCPA processes

Education

Degree in Planning/Urbanism

Tools

GIS

Job description

Help shape the future of the UK's energy landscape!

Are you an experienced Town Planner with a passion for major infrastructure, renewable energy and complex development projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded, expanding advisory team, working on some of the UK's most significant energy and infrastructure schemes, from large-scale solar and wind developments to nuclear, hydrogen and wider energy infrastructure.

If you're looking for greater project exposure, more responsibility and genuine career progression, this could be your next big move!

The Opportunity

Working at Principal Planner to Associate Director level, you'll play a key role in delivering complex planning and consenting projects, advising major public and private sector clients and helping shape the future of UK infrastructure.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading planning and consenting strategies for major energy and infrastructure developments.
• Advising on Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Section 36/37 consents and Town and Country Planning Act applications.
• Managing multidisciplinary teams across complex projects.
• Providing strategic advice on planning policy, environmental legislation and EIA requirements.
• Coordinating stakeholder engagement, consultations and public examinations.
• Building strong client relationships and supporting business development.
• Managing project budgets, programmes and delivery risks.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to team growth.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with ambitious planning professionals who have:

• Strong experience in energy, renewables or major infrastructure planning.
• A solid understanding of DCOs, TCPA planning processes and environmental regulations.
• Experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client‑facing skills.
• The confidence to take ownership of projects and provide strategic planning advice.
• Exposure to solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, utilities or other major infrastructure sectors would be advantageous.

Experience gained within a planning consultancy, developer or public sector organisation will be considered.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High‑profile projects – Work on nationally significant energy and infrastructure developments.
• Career progression – Genuine opportunities to develop your expertise and progress into senior leadership.
• Variety and exposure – Work across renewable energy, utilities and major infrastructure schemes.
• Flexible working – Hybrid opportunities across four major UK cities.
• Influence and impact – Play a meaningful role in delivering the infrastructure needed for the UK's energy future.

Ready for Your Next Move?

Whether you're an established Principal Planner looking to step up or an experienced planning professional ready for an Associate Director position, we'd love to hear from you.