Senior Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent planning consultancy is looking for a Senior Town Planner in Cheltenham. In this influential role, you'll manage planning projects, mentor junior planners, and provide strategic planning advice. This position offers flexibility, a supportive environment, and opportunities for career progression. Ideal for candidates with MRTPI qualifications or extensive planning experience, it's a chance to make a meaningful impact away from corporate structures.

Benefits

Flexible working approach

Interesting project work

Supportive leadership

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in a consultancy or local authority setting.
• Understanding of the UK planning system.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning applications and appeals.
• Provide clear planning advice to clients.
• Lead project strategy and coordination.
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to business development.

Skills

MRTPI qualified (or working towards)

Experience in a consultancy or local authority planning role

Knowledge of the UK planning system

Confident communicator

Commercial awareness

Job description

Senior Town Planner – Cheltenham

I’m supporting a well-established, independent planning consultancy with a strong regional presence that is looking to appoint a Senior Town Planner into its Cheltenham team. This is a key hire and an opportunity to step into a visible, influential role within a respected practice.

This consultancy is known for its pragmatic, commercially aware approach to planning and for building long-term relationships with clients across the residential, commercial and mixed-use sectors. The Cheltenham office continues to grow and offers a close-knit, professional environment with genuine scope to shape projects and mentor others.

The role

You will take ownership of planning projects from early strategy through to determination, working closely with clients, local authorities and internal colleagues. The position offers a high degree of autonomy alongside support from experienced Directors.

Key elements of the role include:

• Managing a varied caseload of planning applications and appeals
• Providing clear, confident planning advice to clients
• Leading on project strategy and coordination
• Supporting and mentoring junior planners
• Contributing to business development and client relationships

What they are looking for:

• MRTPI qualified (or working towards with significant experience)
• Proven experience in a consultancy or local authority planning role
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system
• Confident communicator with good commercial awareness
• Someone who enjoys responsibility and wants to influence outcomes

Why consider this opportunity:

• Established consultancy with an excellent reputation
• Interesting, high-quality project work
• Supportive leadership and realistic career progression
• Flexible working approach
• A role where your experience will be valued and visible

This is a great option for a Senior Planner who wants to move away from corporate structures and into a consultancy where individuals genuinely make a difference. Please contact Neil Ellerton of Penguin Recruitment on 01792 365 108 for more information