Senior Town Planner | Associate Town Planner in Wilmslow)

Penguin Recruitment; Wilmslow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An employee-owned planning consultancy is seeking an Associate Planner to manage planning applications and prepare high-quality reports. In this role, you will support Directors, provide advice to clients, and lead projects for high-profile clients. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant degree, chartered membership, and excellent communication skills. This position offers career progression in a supportive environment, allowing you to contribute to impactful projects within the planning sector.

Qualifications

• Experience in private or public sector planning.
• Ability to work independently on projects.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Assist Directors in driving projects forward.
• Manage medium to large-scale planning applications.
• Conduct research and analysis.
• Prepare planning reports and applications.
• Liaise with planning officers and third parties.
• Build and maintain client relationships.
• Develop creative planning solutions.

Skills

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Project management

Creative planning solutions

Strong communication skills

Education

Relevant degree

Full Chartered Membership of the RTPI

Job description

Job Title: Associate Planner | Associate Director of Town Planning

Location: Wilmslow

Practice: Employee-Owned | Multidisciplinary

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an employee‑owned, multidisciplinary planning consultancy of around 50 professionals in their search for an Associate Planner. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Associate Planner to join a collaborative and forward‑thinking team working on a diverse portfolio of high‑profile projects for prestigious clients.

As an Associate Planner, you will play a key role in the delivery of complex planning schemes, providing expert advice to clients and supporting the continued growth of the business. The successful Associate Planner will work closely with Directors, taking responsibility for managing projects and contributing to team leadership and mentoring.

The Role

The Associate Planner position typically involves working on and managing a variety of schemes, providing direct client advice on sites and projects, and drafting high‑quality planning reports and submissions. The Associate Planner will assist with the management of the team’s caseload while taking financial responsibility for medium‑sized projects from inception through to completion.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting Directors to drive forward major projects
• Managing medium to large‑scale planning applications
• Undertaking research and analysis
• Preparing planning appraisals of land, buildings, and development concepts
• Preparing planning reports, planning applications, development plan representations, and Environmental Statements
• Liaising with planning officers, statutory consultees, and third parties
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and fellow professionals
• Developing creative and original planning solutions
• Remaining informed about planning policy and practice
• Attending external events and delivering presentations

About You

To be successful in this Associate Planner role, you will demonstrate:

• A relevant degree and full Chartered Membership of the RTPI (or equivalent professional body)
• Relevant experience in the private or public sector
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach and strong communication skills
• Creativity, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage projects independently

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an Associate Planner to progress their career within an employee‑owned consultancy, working on a varied and challenging portfolio of projects alongside some of the best planning professionals in the industry. The role offers long‑term career development, meaningful responsibility, and the chance to directly contribute to the success of the business.

Interested?