Principal Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Scotland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy is seeking a Senior Town Planner to join their team in Scotland, with opportunities in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow. The role offers competitive salary and excellent benefits, along with a clear career progression path to Associate. Responsibilities include leading planning projects, preparing applications, and mentoring junior staff in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Location flexibility

Career progression support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in development planning, either in private sector or local authority.
• Strong understanding of Scottish planning policy and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a range of planning projects from strategy to delivery.
• Prepare and submit planning applications, appeals, and development plans.
• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, and local authorities.
• Support and mentor junior planners.
• Engage in business development and client relationships.

Skills

MRTPI-qualified Town Planner

Excellent report writing

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial awareness

Proactive attitude

Education

MRTPI qualification

Job description

Overview

Senior Town Planner - Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow
Location: Choice of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits + Clear Path to Associate
Type: Full-time, Permanent

Are you ready to step into a Senior Town Planner role where your expertise will truly shape the future of development in Scotland?

I'm working with a well-respected architectural and planning consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across residential, commercial, and public sectors. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planner ready to take that next step in their career-or a current senior looking for a new environment where you can grow and progress to Associate level.

Why This Role?

• Location flexibility: Be based in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Glasgow - with hybrid working to suit your lifestyle.
• Reputation for quality: Join a multi-disciplinary team that has a track record of delivering nationally significant planning and urban design projects.
• Clear progression: This firm is serious about investing in its people, offering tailored support for your journey toward Associate and beyond.
• Collaborative culture: You\'ll work closely with talented architects, urban designers, and planning professionals in a friendly, innovative environment.

What You\'ll Be Doing

• Leading and managing a range of planning projects from initial strategy to successful delivery
• Preparing and submitting planning applications, appeals, and development plans
• Liaising with clients, stakeholders, and local authorities
• Supporting and mentoring junior planners
• Playing a key role in business development and client relationships

What We\'re Looking For

• MRTPI-qualified Town Planner
• Proven experience in development planning (private sector or local authority background welcomed)
• Strong understanding of Scottish planning policy and legislation
• Excellent report writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Commercial awareness and a proactive attitude

Whether you\'re looking for more responsibility, a better work-life balance, or a defined route to progression, this is a genuinely exciting opportunity.

Interested? Send over your CV for a confidential discussion, or get in touch to find out more. If you\'re not quite ready to apply but want to understand if this could be a good fit, I\'m happy to talk things through.