Senior/Principal Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected multidisciplinary consultancy in Bristol is seeking a Senior or Principal Development Management Planner to lead and manage key planning and infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will have a degree in Town Planning, full MRTPI membership, and strong technical understanding of development management. This role offers the chance to work on high-profile schemes with a collaborative team, along with competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Private medical insurance

Profit share scheme

Flexible benefits for health and wellbeing

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline and full MRTPI membership.
• Strong technical understanding of development management and planning legislation.
• Proven project management experience with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication skills to articulate complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage key development management and infrastructure projects.
• Review planning documentation and interface with clients throughout the consenting process.
• Support junior members of the team ensuring high-quality project delivery.
• Develop client relationships and promote the team's capabilities.

Skills

Strong technical understanding of development management

Excellent communication skills

Proven project management experience

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related discipline

Full MRTPI membership

Job description

Job Title: Senior / Principal Development Management Planner

Location: Bristol

Penguin Recruitment is pleased to be partnering with a highly respected, multidisciplinary consultancy as they look to appoint a Senior or Principal Development Management Planner to join their award-winning planning team in Bristol.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation recognised for shaping better places across the UK. You will work within their established Mid-West Planning team, supporting a diverse mix of public and private sector clients and playing a key role in delivering major development management and infrastructure projects across the South West and Wales.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will manage and lead medium to major planning and infrastructure projects, working collaboratively with multi‑disciplinary teams across the business. You will build and strengthen client relationships, support project bidding, lead on project delivery and contribute to the continued growth of the team's presence in the region.

This position offers the chance to work on high‑profile schemes, develop strong client networks and contribute to meaningful projects within a collaborative, supportive and purpose‑driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage key development management and infrastructure projects.
• Review planning documentation and act as a key interface with clients throughout the consenting process.
• Support junior members of the team, ensuring high-quality project delivery and commercial performance.
• Develop client relationships and promote the team's capabilities across the South West and Wales.
• Work with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure integrated, efficient project outcomes.

Requirements

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline and full MRTPI membership.
• Strong technical understanding of development management, planning legislation, policy and the consenting process across England and Wales.
• Proven project management experience with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and confidently.
• Experience in infrastructure consenting is advantageous but not essential.

What's on Offer

You will join a consultancy that truly invests in its people. Their reward package includes:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection
• Profit share scheme
• Flexible benefits supporting health, wellbeing and work‑life balance
• Career development opportunities and access to extensive learning resources
• A collaborative environment where individuality and innovation are encouraged

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious planner looking to take the next step in their career with a market‑leading consultancy.

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on (phone number removed) or (url removed)