Principal Town Planner

Carrington West; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded national law firm is seeking a Principal Town Planner or Associate Director to work in London or Nottingham. This role offers a hybrid working model with a focus on high-profile projects in infrastructure and development. The ideal candidate will have significant planning experience, strong knowledge of UK legislation, and excellent client-facing skills. Clear pathways for career progression are provided.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Access to legal and planning expertise

Clear pathways for career development

Qualifications

• MRTPI chartered with significant post-qualification experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy, and procedure.
• Experience managing complex planning applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality planning advice to clients.
• Lead on major projects and manage a varied portfolio.
• Draft and submit planning applications and appeals.

Skills

MRTPI chartered

Knowledge of UK planning legislation

Client-facing skills

Communication

Collaborative work

Education

Significant post-qualification experience (7+ years)

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Principal Town Planner / Associate director
Location: London or Nottingham
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Principal Town Planner or Associate Town Planner to join a well-regarded national Law Firm based in either their London or Nottingham offices. This is a rare chance to work within a truly multidisciplinary environment that brings together legal expertise and planning consultancy under one roof. This role offers high-level exposure to complex and high-profile projects across the UK, with a strong pipeline of work covering infrastructure, energy, residential, commercial, and mixed-use development.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, commercially focused planning advice to a broad client base including developers, landowners, and public sector bodies
• Lead on major projects and manage a varied portfolio of planning work
• Draft and submit planning applications, appeals, and development plan representations
• Prepare planning appraisals and due diligence reports
• Contribute to business development and client relationship management
• Support and mentor junior team members

About You

• MRTPI chartered with significant post-qualification experience (ideally 7+ years)
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy, and procedure
• A background in either consultancy, local government, or a legal/planning interface environment
• Experience managing complex planning applications, appeals, and negotiations
• Confident communicator with strong client-facing skills
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working model (3 days a week in-office)
• A collaborative, professional environment with access to legal and planning expertise
• The opportunity to work on nationally significant developments and policy matters
• Clear pathways for career development and progression

Looking to elevate your planning career within a unique, cross-disciplinary environment?

If you are a Principal Town Planner or Associate Town Planner looking to join a team that will really value and help you progress, please do pop your CV across to (url removed) or call (phone number removed)

Reference - 61044