Senior / Principal Planner

Dalcour Maclaren; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus scheme

25 days annual leave plus 1 birthday day

Vitality Health Membership

Flexible working

Pension Scheme

Life insurance (4x base salary)

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

26 weeks paid maternity leave

4 weeks paid paternity leave

Professional development

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Dalcour Maclaren is looking for an experienced Principal or Senior Planner to join their Environmental and Planning team in Leatherhead, UK. The successful candidate will lead and manage a small team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality environmental planning services while fostering strong relationships with stakeholders.

A planning degree and MRTPI membership are essential for this role, alongside strong analytical and communication skills. The position offers great benefits, including a bonus scheme, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Chartered membership of MRTPI is essential.
• Sound analytical and communication skills are required.
• Must have a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver environmental planning services.
• Build relationships with stakeholders including local authorities.
• Develop the skills of junior staff and support their development.

Skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Team spirit

Self-motivation

Education

Relevant planning degree

Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

Tools

GIS systems

Job description

Position Overview

Dalcour Maclaren is a leading provider of land access, environmental impact assessment, and planning services to the UK utilities and infrastructure sector. We are seeking an experienced Principal or Senior Planner to strengthen our Environmental and Planning team.

In this role you will manage and contribute to a variety of projects including new capital schemes, property portfolio developments, and securing planning consents across multiple sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or manage a small team to deliver a range of environmental planning services with a focus on technical planning specialisms.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including client teams and local authority planning officers.
• Reporting directly to the client, take ownership of team performance and drive progress and continuous improvement.
• Support the wider team and business development, providing guidance on complex cases and identifying new work opportunities.
• Maintain your own knowledge through CPD and professional membership progress.
• Monitor, support and coordinate the development of junior staff and, when applicable, provide constructive line management.
• Participate in and support company groups, initiatives, events and socials.
• Carry out work in compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements and policies.

Qualifications

• Relevant planning degree and chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Sound analytical, presentation and communication skills; ability to prepare fee proposals.
• Commercial awareness to understand client needs and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Excellent communicator, willing to learn and develop.
• Knowledge of GIS systems and environmental technical disciplines.
• Self‑motivated and organised with a full UK driving licence.
• Team spirit and a can‑do attitude.

Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday.
• Vitality Health Membership (including private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts).
• Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’.
• Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension.
• Life insurance (4x base salary).
• Free on‑site parking in non‑city centre offices.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• 26 weeks paid maternity leave.
• 4 weeks paid paternity leave.
• BHN Extras – discounted gift cards for popular retailers.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective at 1 year service.
• Sabbatical policy effective at 3 years’ service.
• Professional development – paid study leave.
• Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year).
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wider mental health & wellbeing support.
• 2 company‑wide events per year, plus multiple office socials throughout the year.

Dalcour Maclaren is an equal opportunities employer.