Principal Town Planner

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-regarded law firm is seeking a Principal Town Planner or Associate Director to join their London office. This role involves providing expert planning advice on high-profile projects and managing complex planning applications. The position offers a hybrid working model and clear career progression opportunities in a multidisciplinary environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Clear pathways for career development

Access to legal and planning expertise

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience (ideally 7+ years).
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation.
• Experience managing complex planning applications.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Communication

Team Collaboration

Client Relationship Management

Education

MRTPI Chartered

Job description

Job Description

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 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:

1. Provide high-quality, commercially focused planning advice to a broad client base including developers, landowners, and public sector bodies
2. Lead on major projects and manage a varied portfolio of planning work
3. Draft and submit planning applications, appeals, and development plan representations
4. Prepare planning appraisals and due diligence reports
5. Contribute to business development and client relationship management
6. 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 seeking a role where you will be valued and supported in your career development, please send your CV to (url removed) or call (phone number removed). Reference - 57129