Principal Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy based in Birmingham seeks a Principal Town Planner to deliver high-profile projects for private and public sector clients. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in UK town planning, strong leadership skills, and a proactive approach to project management.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme & eye care vouchers

Pension scheme (salary sacrifice)

Generous employee discounts

Life assurance & 24/7 EAP access

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years’ experience in UK town planning, ideally in consultancy.
• Strong background in delivering major planning applications.
• Excellent understanding of planning policies and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead on major planning applications and coordinate development management processes.
• Provide strategic advice on land promotion and site development.
• Mentor junior colleagues and support their professional development.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Planning Policy

Client Communication

Team Leadership

Education

MRTPI qualification

Job description

Principal Town Planner – Strategic & Development Projects
Location: Birmingham / Midlands (Hybrid)
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Full Benefits Package

We’re representing a well-established national planning and design consultancy with a strong presence across England and Wales. Their Birmingham-based team is growing and now looking to hire a Principal Planner with experience delivering a broad range of planning services for both private and public sector clients.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected planning consultancy known for its creative, commercially minded and collaborative approach, where you’ll work on significant residential and mixed-use projects, often of strategic scale.

The Role:

As a key member of the Midlands planning team, you will lead and support the delivery of high-profile projects, working with housebuilders, developers, and local authorities. You’ll be given autonomy to manage your own workstreams and encouraged to take ownership of client relationships, submissions and strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on major planning applications and coordinate development management processes

• Provide strategic advice on land promotion, masterplanning and site development

• Manage stakeholder engagement, including local authorities and consultees

• Prepare planning statements, appeals, and evidence-based reports

• Mentor junior colleagues and support their professional development

• Take an active role in growing the business and strengthening client partnerships

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• MRTPI qualified with c. 5-10+ years’ experience

• Strong background in UK town planning, ideally in consultancy

• Excellent understanding of planning policy and development strategy

• Able to manage complex planning applications and appeals confidently

• Effective communicator in client-facing and team leadership roles

• Commercially aware, proactive, and motivated by high-quality outcomes

What’s on Offer:

• Opportunity to join a forward-thinking consultancy with national reach

• Complex and varied project portfolio across residential and mixed-use sectors

• Structured career progression to Associate and beyond

• Supportive, sociable and dynamic team environment

• Competitive salary + bonus + industry-leading benefits, including:

  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising with service)

  • Private medical insurance

  • Cycle to work scheme & eye care vouchers

  • Pension scheme (salary sacrifice)

  • Generous employee discounts across retailers and property services

  • Life assurance & 24/7 EAP access

Interested?

Contact Sofia Conte [e-mail] or call 01792 957386. We have many more vacancies available on our website.

This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a Recruitment Agency in respect to this position