Senior Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

30 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Birthday leave and wellbeing day

Private healthcare

Medicash cashback scheme

Gym membership contribution 50%

Cycle to work scheme

Life assurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Professional membership support

Structured CPD and career development

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Town Planner to join its Bristol team. You will provide commercially focused planning advice across a varied portfolio including residential, retail, healthcare, and commercial sectors.

You will manage planning applications, appeals, and pre-application advice, while developing strong client relationships and contributing to business development. A Chartered RTPI member or FCP is preferred, with solid knowledge of the UK planning system and excellent

Qualifications

• Chartered RTPI membership or working towards full chartership.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, legislation and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Commercially minded approach to client management and business development.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercially focused planning advice across a range of sectors.
• Manage and progress planning applications, appeals and pre-application submissions.
• Prepare initial planning appraisals and provide strategic planning advice.
• Liaise with clients, Local Planning Authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Undertake site visits and attend client and project meetings.
• Attend planning committees and public consultation events when required.
• Prepare high‑quality planning reports and present recommendations.
• Manage projects within deadlines, budgets and client instructions.
• Support business development through networking and client engagement.

Skills

Chartered RTPI membership

UK planning system knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Organisational skills

Commercial mindset

Education

RTPI chartership (or working towards)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Town Planner

Location: Bristol

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multi-disciplinary property consultancy in their search for a talented Town Planner to join their growing Bristol team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional looking to develop their career within a collaborative consultancy, working across a varied portfolio of projects and sectors including Residential, Retail, Healthcare, Automotive & Roadside and Commercial.

The Role

You'll provide commercially focused planning advice to a diverse client base, working alongside experienced planners and other professional disciplines across the business.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing commercially astute and timely planning advice across a range of sectors
• Managing and progressing planning applications, appeals and pre-application submissions
• Preparing initial planning appraisals and providing strategic planning advice
• Liaising and negotiating with clients, Local Planning Authorities, statutory consultees, external consultants and other stakeholders
• Undertaking site visits and attending client and project meetings
• Attending planning committees and public consultation events where required
• Preparing high-quality planning reports, interpreting data and presenting clear recommendations
• Managing projects within agreed deadlines, budgets and client instructions
• Working in accordance with internal QA procedures and maintaining high standards of project delivery
• Building strong client relationships and contributing to repeat business
• Supporting business development through networking, client engagement and identifying new opportunities

The Candidate

We're looking for a motivated Town Planner with strong technical knowledge and the confidence to work across a variety of planning projects.

You'll ideally have:

• Chartered RTPI membership or be working towards full chartership
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, legislation and procedures
• Previous experience within a planning consultancy or similar professional environment
• Experience with planning applications, appeals and/or pre-application advice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to develop clear planning arguments and communicate them confidently
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects
• A commercially minded approach to client management and business development
• Commitment to continuing professional development

The Package

• Competitive salary
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 30 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays
• Birthday leave and dedicated wellbeing day
• Private healthcare
• Medicash cashback scheme
• 50% gym membership contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Professional membership support
• Structured CPD and career development opportunities

Why This Opportunity?

This is a great opportunity to join an established Bristol planning team and work on a diverse range of projects across some of the region's key development sectors.

You'll benefit from a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment, strong client exposure, hybrid working and the opportunity to continue developing both your technical and commercial planning experience.