Senior Planner

EH20 group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established planning consultancy in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Senior Planner to lead complex planning projects while providing high-quality consultancy services. This role involves managing a diverse caseload through all project phases, mentoring junior planners, and engaging with clients and stakeholders, making effective negotiations with local authorities. The ideal candidate is MRTPI qualified or working towards it, has strong knowledge of the UK planning system, and excellent communication skills. A collegial approach and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience within planning consultancy or a similar professional environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and planning market.
• Ability to manage workloads, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritise a varied caseload of planning projects.
• Deliver high-quality planning advice and consultancy services to clients.
• Lead on site appraisals, site promotion strategies, and planning applications.
• Negotiate with local authorities to achieve optimal planning outcomes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

IT skills including Microsoft Office

Education

MRTPI qualification or working towards submission

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Planner to join an established and driven Strategic Planning team, supporting the delivery of high-quality planning consultancy services across a diverse portfolio of projects. In this role, you will take the lead on a range of complex and innovative planning commissions, while also supporting the continued growth and development of the wider planning team.

Working closely with colleagues across a multi-disciplinary business, you will help identify cross-divisional opportunities and develop new client relationships. Your workload will include residential, commercial, retail, and leisure schemes, involving site appraisals, site promotion, and the preparation and management of planning applications. You will play a key role in providing clear, commercially focused planning advice to clients throughout the project lifecycle.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, delivering high-quality work to agreed timescales and budgets, and building strong working relationships with clients and external consultants. The role will also involve mentoring junior team members, including supporting those working towards professional accreditation.

You will regularly engage with local authorities and key stakeholders, attend and lead project meetings, and negotiate to secure the best possible outcomes for clients. Additionally, you will support team collaboration by sharing knowledge, workloads, and contributing to wider team objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritise a varied caseload of planning projects
• Deliver high-quality planning advice and consultancy services to clients
• Lead on site appraisals, site promotion strategies, and planning applications
• Prepare, submit, and manage planning applications and associated reports
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and identify new opportunities
• Mentor and support junior planners, including APC mentoring
• Engage positively with Planning Officers, consultees, and other stakeholders
• Attend and lead project meetings, coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Negotiate with local authorities to achieve optimal planning outcomes
• Manage project budgets, time recording, and invoicing

Requirements

• MRTPI qualified or working towards submission
• Proven experience within planning consultancy or a similar professional environment
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and planning market
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage workloads, meet deadlines, and work under pressure
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard of written work
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• Self-motivated team player with a collaborative approach