Senior/Principal Planner

Penguin Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in Leeds is seeking a Senior or Principal Planner. In this role, you will manage and lead projects related to large-scale developments, provide expert planning advice, and mentor junior staff. The ideal candidate will have 4-5+ years of experience in planning and a degree in a related field. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunities for career progression

Exposure to high-profile projects

Qualifications

• 4-5+ years' experience in planning, ideally within consultancy or local authority.
• RTPI membership (or working towards).
• Strong understanding of the Local Plan process.
• Proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects, coordinating team members and workloads.
• Promote sites through the Local Plan system, including stakeholder engagement.
• Conduct research and planning appraisals to assess development potential.
• Attend client meetings and public consultations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Report writing

Communication skills

Presentation abilities

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, or Built Environment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Senior / Principal Planner

Location: Leeds

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a highly regarded planning consultancy in their search for a Senior or Principal Planner to join their Leeds-based team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated planning professional with experience in planning policy, local plans, and strategic planning to play a key role in the delivery of high-profile projects across the UK.

The Role

As a Senior / Principal Planner, you will be working on a variety of major projects including large-scale commercial schemes, urban extensions, and new settlements. You will lead on promoting strategic opportunities through the Local Plan system, providing expert planning advice, and managing relationships with key stakeholders and clients.

You'll be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team where you'll have the opportunity to contribute to business development, mentor junior staff, and play an active role in the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects, coordinating team members and workloads.
• Promote sites through the Local Plan system, including stakeholder engagement and preparation of high-quality representations, Hearing Statements, and Advocacy Reports.
• Conduct research and planning appraisals to assess development potential.
• Analyse planning data relating to housing and employment land supply and need.
• Provide clear and concise advice both in writing and verbally.
• Attend client meetings, public consultations, and site visits.
• Prepare fee proposals, tenders, and contribute to marketing materials and presentations.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

• 4-5+ years' experience in planning, ideally within consultancy or local authority.
• RTPI membership (or working towards).
• Strong understanding of the Local Plan process.
• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and supporting project delivery.
• A proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to work.

Requirements

• Degree (or higher) in a relevant subject such as Town Planning, Urban Planning, or Built Environment.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression within a supportive and growing team.
• Exposure to high-profile strategic planning projects.

Interested?

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be part of a forward-thinking planning consultancy, please contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)