Senior Planner - Central London)

Penguin Recruitment; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading London-based planning consultancy is seeking a Senior Town Planner with expertise in retail planning. This role offers the chance to manage diverse projects and lead client interactions in a dynamic environment, emphasizing personal development and clear career progression.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

5% company pension contribution

Private healthcare

Discretionary annual bonus

Flexible working - hybrid model

Company-wide team days out

Qualifications

• Significant experience in town planning, preferably in consultancy.
• Experience leading client meetings and managing applications.
• Proactive with commitment to personal development.

Responsibilities

• Manage a variety of planning projects with a focus on retail.
• Lead client meetings and project delivery.
• Support local authority retail studies.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Commercial Awareness

Education

RTPI Membership

Job description

Senior Town Planner

Location: Central London

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading London-based planning consultancy known for its commercial expertise and long-standing success in delivering planning solutions for high-profile retail, trade, and mixed-use schemes across the UK.

As part of their continued growth, we are looking to speak with Senior Town Planners who have strong experience in retail planning and are ready to take ownership of projects, lead client meetings, and deliver high-quality work in a dynamic consultancy environment.

This is an ideal opportunity for an established planner who enjoys retail-focused work and is looking to progress their career in a forward-thinking, sociable team with structured mentoring and real potential for advancement.

The Role

Working as part of an experienced team, you will be responsible for managing a broad mix of planning projects with a particular focus on retail, warehouse, trade counter, and foodstore schemes. You will be expected to lead on projects, manage clients, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality reports and assessments.

You will also support on local authority retail studies and strategic town centre projects.

Requirements

* Experience in town planning (ideally within consultancy or private sector)

* Experience managing planning applications and leading meetings with clients and stakeholders

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

* RTPI membership (or working towards)

* Proactive, commercially aware, and committed to personal and professional development

Salary & Benefits

* Competitive salary (negotiable based on experience)

* 25 days holiday + bank holidays (rising to 28 days after 7 years of service)

* 5% company pension contribution

* Private healthcare (after 6 months' service)

* Death in service benefit

* Discretionary annual bonus (linked to personal and company performance)

* Flexible working - hybrid model (3 days per week in office)

* 2 company-wide team days out per year

* Clear progression structure and mentoring support