Senior Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable planning consultancy in Cheltenham is looking for a Senior Town Planner to manage planning projects, mentor junior staff, and enhance client relationships. This role offers a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and autonomy over projects. Ideal candidates are MRTPI qualified with proven experience in consultancy or local authority planning and have strong communication skills. This is an excellent opportunity to make a visible impact outside of corporate structures.

Benefits

Flexible working approach

Realistic career progression

Interesting project work

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a consultancy or local authority planning role.
• Enjoys responsibility and desires to influence outcomes.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload of planning applications.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of planning projects from strategy to determination.
• Provide clear planning advice to clients.
• Lead project strategy and coordinate efforts.
• Support and mentor junior planners.
• Contribute to business development and client relationships.

Skills

MRTPI qualification

Knowledge of the UK planning system

Confident communication

Commercial awareness

Education

MRTPI qualified or working towards

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 (phone number removed) for more information.