Senior Town Planner/Associate Town Planner in London)

Penguin Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected planning consultancy in Greater London is seeking a Senior Town Planner. The role involves managing complex projects, delivering planning advice, and client interactions. Requirements include MRTPI qualification and 3+ years in planning. You will be supported by experienced leadership and offered competitive salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for career progression. Join a team that engages in large-scale commercial projects and offers mentorship in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Health and dental insurance

Pension scheme

Discretionary bonus

Career progression

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualified or working towards chartership is essential.
• Must have at least 3 years of experience in planning.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Deliver planning advice and manage complex projects.
• Work directly with clients and local authorities.
• Guide junior team members and influence projects.

Skills

Strong understanding of the UK planning system and development process

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Commercial awareness and problem-solving mindset

Proven ability to manage projects and client relationships

Education

MRTPI qualified (or actively working towards chartership)

Minimum 3+ years’ experience in planning (consultancy or local authority)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Town Planner

Location: London

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an established and respected planning practice in their search for a Senior Town Planner to join their dynamic and growing team.

This award-winning practice provides comprehensive and commercially minded town planning advice across a wide range of sectors. Their in-house planning team is highly experienced in commercial property, working closely with design teams and developers to deliver high-quality, strategic planning solutions.

The practice primarily works on large-scale employment and commercial development projects across the UK - including warehouse and industrial schemes at various stages, from strategic site promotion through Local Plans to live planning applications. One of their current flagship projects spans 200 hectares, encompassing employment, renewable energy, and advanced agricultural systems.

Despite being a small team, they have an impressive client base of well-funded developers and property funds, offering the opportunity to take on significant responsibility with close mentorship and oversight from senior leadership.

Key Services Include:

• Provision of initial planning advice
• Preparation of site appraisals and planning strategies
• Management of multi-disciplinary project teams
• Preparation and submission of full, outline, and hybrid applications
• Reserved Matters submissions
• Negotiating S106 Agreements
• Certificates of Lawfulness
• Amendments to / variations on conditions
• Planning appeals
• Discharging conditions
• Preparing representations to development plans
• Promotion of sites through the statutory plan-making process

The Role:

As a Senior Town Planner, you will take a leading role in delivering planning advice, managing a range of complex projects, and working directly with clients and local authorities to secure permissions. This position offers a real opportunity to step up towards Associate level, with scope to influence projects and mentor junior team members.

You’ll be involved in all stages of planning projects - from early strategic advice to application delivery - and will play a key client-facing role, supporting the continued growth and success of the business.

Requirements:

• MRTPI qualified (or actively working towards chartership)
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience in planning (consultancy or local authority)
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system and development process
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to manage projects and client relationships
• Commercial awareness and problem-solving mindset
• Desire to take on more responsibility and grow into an Associate-level role

Why Apply?

• Join a well-established and forward-thinking consultancy
• Gain exposure to large-scale commercial and employment projects
• Supportive environment with direct mentoring from senior leadership
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package
• 25 days annual leave
• Health and dental insurance
• Pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus
• Genuine career progression

Interested?