Senior to Senior Associate Planner in Manchester)

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Car allowance

25 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Festive period leave

Enhanced parental leave

Death in Service cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Hybrid working

Professional development

Volunteering leave

Money-saving portal

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior to Senior Associate Planner to join its established Planning Team, with coverage across Ashby, Birmingham and Manchester. You will manage a diverse caseload, lead on planning applications, and develop client relationships.

Applicants should be MRTPI or near APC, with experience in a planning consultancy and strong knowledge of the UK planning system. The role offers hybrid working and clear progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or APC in progress.
• Experience in a planning consultancy or relevant planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and current market.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritise your own caseload with high‑quality advice.
• Prepare site appraisals and develop planning strategies.
• Submit and manage planning applications across a varied portfolio.
• Lead on site promotion, planning submissions and representations.
• Provide bespoke planning advice and build client relationships.
• Mentor junior team members and manage budgets/time records.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Team mentorship

Education

MRTPI qualification / APC in progress

Job description

Job Title: Senior to Senior Associate Planner

Location: Ashby | Birmingham | Manchester

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading, multidisciplinary property consultancy in the appointment of a Senior to Senior Associate Planner to join its established and growing Planning Team, based in Ashby.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to join a well-established consultancy with a strong national presence, working on a diverse portfolio of exciting projects across the residential, commercial, infrastructure, retail and leisure sectors.

The successful candidate will play an important role in delivering planning consultancy services, developing client relationships and identifying opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider business. You will have the opportunity to take ownership of interesting and varied projects, contribute to the continued growth of the team and support the development of more junior colleagues.

The Role

• Managing and prioritising your own caseload, ensuring high-quality advice and service delivery.
• Undertaking site appraisals, preparing initial site reviews and developing planning strategies.
• Preparing, submitting and managing planning applications across a varied project portfolio.
• Leading on site promotion, planning submissions and representations.
• Providing bespoke planning advice and identifying the best possible outcomes for clients.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Project managing multidisciplinary teams, including architects, highways, landscape, drainage and ecology consultants.
• Engaging with Local Planning Authorities, Planning Officers, Councillors, members of the public and statutory consultees.
• Attending and leading project meetings, negotiations and client discussions.
• Supporting, mentoring and developing junior members of the planning team, including APC candidates.
• Managing project budgets, time recording and invoicing.
• Identifying opportunities to develop new client relationships and generate further business.

About You

To be considered for this opportunity, you will ideally have:

• MRTPI qualification or be close to completing your APC.
• Experience working within a planning consultancy or relevant planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and current planning market.
• Experience managing planning applications and delivering planning advice.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues would be advantageous.

The Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package, including:

• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Car allowance.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days with service.
• An additional day off for your birthday.
• Additional festive period leave.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Death in Service cover.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to an online money‑saving portal.
• Two days' volunteering leave per year.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities for career progression.

The Company

You will be joining an established UK‑wide property and planning consultancy with a heritage dating back to 1830. Operating across a broad range of property sectors, the business provides specialist advice to clients nationally and has a workforce of more than 800 employees.

With a collaborative working culture, an established office network and a strong emphasis on professional development, this is an opportunity to become part of a forward‑thinking business where planning plays an important role in its wider offering.

Interested?