Senior Planner / Associate Town Planner in Edinburgh)

Penguin Recruitment; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior Planner to manage a diverse portfolio of planning projects. The ideal candidate will have RTPI accreditation, strong consultancy experience, and excellent communication skills. This role provides significant opportunities for career progression in a supportive environment focused on delivering high-quality planning advice. A competitive salary and hybrid working options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Hybrid and flexible working

Strong progression opportunities

Mentorship from industry-leading planners

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of Scottish planning policy and development management.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing ability.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing planning applications, appeals, and site promotions.
• Preparing planning statements and technical reports.
• Delivering clear and commercially focused planning advice to clients.

Skills

Consultancy experience

Client facing skills

Project management skills

Report writing

Commercial awareness

Education

RTPI-accredited degree and MRTPI status

Job description

Senior Planner

Location: Edinburgh

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading, forward-thinking planning consultancy in their search for a Senior Planner to join their Edinburgh team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planner to work Scotland's most high-profile and complex development projects within a fast-paced, commercially minded environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Exposure to major urban regeneration, mixed-use, residential, commercial, and strategic projects
• Strong progression opportunities within a rapidly growing team
• Supportive culture with mentorship from industry-leading planners
• Access to multidisciplinary expertise across transport, design, economics, and environmental services

The Role

As a Senior Planner, you will take a leading role in managing a varied portfolio of planning projects across Scotland. You will work directly with clients, coordinate multi-disciplinary inputs, and provide high-level planning advice from inception through to determination.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and managing planning applications, appeals, and site promotions
• Preparing planning statements, supporting documents, and technical reports
• Delivering clear and commercially focused planning advice to clients
• Liaising with local authorities, consultees, and stakeholders
• Supporting business development through client engagement and market awareness
• Contributing to and mentoring junior planners within the team
• Monitoring emerging policy and advising clients on development strategy

About You

We're looking for a driven and confident Senior Planner with strong consultancy experience and the ability to deliver high-quality work in a commercial environment.

Requirements

• RTPI-accredited degree and MRTPI status (or working towards)
• Relevant years' experience within a planning consultancy or similar role
• Strong understanding of Scottish planning policy and development management
• Excellent written communication and report-writing ability
• Strong client facing and project management skills
• Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-moving environment
• Positive, proactive attitude with commercial awareness

This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Planner looking to take their career forward within a respected consultancy offering major project exposure and genuine progression.

If you are interested in this Senior Planner position, please contact Joel Bland at Penguin Recruitment.