Senior Town Planner or Planning Associate

Stantec; Tonbridge and Malling; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Planner or Planning Associate to join their dynamic team in a beautiful setting. This role offers the chance to work on exciting residential and mixed-use developments, providing a platform for professional growth and development. You'll engage directly with clients, manage complex projects, and contribute to significant planning applications. The company prides itself on its inclusive culture and commitment to sustainability, making it a great place to grow your career. If you're passionate about planning and looking for a supportive environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Bonus Schemes

Enhanced Pension Plan

Private Medical Insurance

Discounted Gym Membership

Flexible Working Options

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualified with strong planning experience at Senior Planner or Associate level.
• Excellent project management and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Promoting residential and commercial developments through the Local Development Framework.
• Coordinating project teams and managing complex schemes.

Skills

Project Management

Business Development

Communication Skills

Planning Experience

Education

MRTPI Qualification

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Planner or Planning Associate to join our busy Kings Hill office in the beautiful county of Kent. The office is a welcoming inter-disciplinary environment with services across Town Planning, Research, Development Economics and Ecology.

The planning team principally focuses on residential-led developments in the Southeast including new neighbourhoods and town settlements, garden villages and exciting regeneration projects as well as mixed-use, industrial/logistics, commercial and retirement housing schemes. Developments range in size, use and complexity and include the preparation and submission of all types of planning applications, as well as Local Plan promotions. Your role will include running applications, appeals and inquiries, as well as developments, plans and promotions. You will use your excellent communication skills to develop relationships with our existing clients as well as generating further work and leads via networking and business development.

You will join a supportive team environment with exciting career opportunities, have direct client exposure, enjoy continued professional development and gain exposure to an innovative and exciting multi-disciplinary environment.

About you

To succeed in the role, you will:

• Be MRTPI qualified.
• Have strong planning experience at Senior Planner or Associate level, ideally from a consultancy or private sector background although public sector experience will be considered.
• Have excellent project management skills.
• Be commercially minded with an interest (and proven experience for the Associate role) in business development, ideally with a network of existing clients and/or contacts in the region.
• Have strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Promoting large scale residential, mixed use and commercial developments (both Brownfield and Greenfield) through the Local Development Framework and coordinate professional teams to submit applications.
• Co-ordinate project teams and project manage schemes often complex in nature.
• Conduct research and site appraisals on projects for our client base.
• Prepare, submit and negotiate on planning and economic applications.
• Prepare policy representations.
• Develop client relationships.
• Input to planning appeals (taking more of a lead role as an Associate).

Why join us?

• People culture: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• Award winning workplace: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
• Professional development: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions.