Senior Town Planner

Vivid Resourcing; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Hybrid and flexible working

Generous annual leave + bank holidays

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing is seeking an experienced Senior Town Planner to lead a diverse portfolio of planning projects in Sheffield, delivering expert advice and guiding clients through the development process. The role spans residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, renewable energy, and strategic land sectors, with collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

You will mentor junior planners, liaise with local planning authorities, and contribute to business development while staying abreast of

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning required.
• Chartered MRTPI or working towards chartership with significant post-qualification experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from inception through to completion.
• Prepare, coordinate, and submit planning applications, appeals, and supporting documentation.
• Undertake planning appraisals and provide strategic planning advice to clients.
• Liaise with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Lead client meetings and maintain strong client relationships.
• Prepare planning statements, policy reviews, site assessments, and representations to local plans.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation and policy, ensuring advice remains current and commercially relevant.
• Mentor and support junior planners, assisting with their professional development.
• Contribute to business development activities, including preparing fee proposals and identifying new opportunities.
• Represent clients at planning committees, hearings, public consultations, and inquiries where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with architects, engineers, environmental consultants, and other specialists to achieve project objectives.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

Project management

Commercial awareness

UK planning knowledge

Driving licence

Public inquiry experience

Business development

Leadership potential

Client relationships

Education

Degree in Town Planning

MRTPI / chartered (or towards)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Town Planner to join our growing planning team in Sheffield. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planning professional to lead a diverse portfolio of projects, provide expert planning advice, and support clients through all stages of the development process.

The successful candidate will work across a broad range of sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, renewable energy, and strategic land, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful planning outcomes across Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and the wider North of England.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from inception through to completion.
• Prepare, coordinate, and submit planning applications, appeals, and supporting documentation.
• Undertake planning appraisals and provide strategic planning advice to clients.
• Liaise with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Lead client meetings and maintain strong client relationships.
• Prepare planning statements, policy reviews, site assessments, and representations to local plans.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation and policy, ensuring advice remains current and commercially relevant.
• Mentor and support junior planners, assisting with their professional development.
• Contribute to business development activities, including preparing fee proposals and identifying new opportunities.
• Represent clients at planning committees, hearings, public consultations, and inquiries where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with architects, engineers, environmental consultants, and other specialists to achieve project objectives.

Skills and Experience

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), or working towards chartership with significant post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience within a planning consultancy, local authority, or property development environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, planning policy, and development management.
• Experience managing planning applications and appeals.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Knowledge of planning in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and the wider Yorkshire and North of England region.
• Public inquiry or hearing experience.
• Existing client relationships and business development experience.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Confident communicator with strong presentation abilities.
• Ability to build lasting client relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative team player with leadership potential.
• High level of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays.
• Continued professional development and training.