Senior Associate Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected planning consultancy in Chelmsford is seeking a Senior to Associate Town Planner. The candidate will manage and deliver planning projects, provide strategic advice, and mentor junior staff. This role offers career progression and a competitive salary within a supportive and flexible work environment. Ideal for candidates with proven experience in UK town planning and a strong background in development management.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Clear progression opportunities

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven experience in UK town planning, ideally within consultancy or local authority.
• Confident communicator with strong written and analytical skills.
• Commercially aware and comfortable in a client-facing role.

Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering planning projects from inception through to determination.
• Providing strategic planning advice to private and public sector clients.
• Preparing and coordinating planning applications, planning statements and supporting documentation.

Skills

Proven experience in UK town planning

Strong background in development management

Confident communicator

Education

MRTPI qualified or working towards chartership

Job description

Senior to Associate Town Planner - Chelmsford (Hybrid / Flexible) - Planning Consultancy

We are working on behalf of a well‑established independent property and planning consultancy to recruit a Senior to Associate level Town Planner for their growing team in Chelmsford.

This consultancy provides strategic planning, development and property advice to a diverse client base including landowners, developers, investors and public sector organisations. The role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner to take on increased responsibility and progress their career within a respected and forward‑thinking environment.

The Role

The successful candidate will be involved in a wide range of planning work, including:

• Managing and delivering planning projects from inception through to determination
• Providing strategic planning advice to private and public sector clients
• Preparing and coordinating planning applications, planning statements and supporting documentation
• Advising on Local Plan promotions, site representations and planning policy matters
• Supporting planning appeals and negotiations with local planning authorities
• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to team and client development

This role would suit a Senior Planner ready to step up, or an existing Associate seeking a strong platform for continued growth.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in UK town planning, ideally within consultancy or local authority
• Strong background in development management, planning policy, or strategic land
• MRTPI qualified or working towards chartership
• Confident communicator with strong written and analytical skills
• Commercially aware and comfortable in a client‑facing role

What's on Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package aligned to experience
• Clear progression opportunities towards Associate and beyond
• Exposure to a varied and high‑quality project portfolio
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Supportive, professional and collaborative working culture

How to Apply

For further information or to apply, please contact Neil Ellerton of Penguin Recruitment