Senior Town Planner | Principal Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Tetford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking a Senior Town Planner in Thetford to lead strategic planning projects for critical infrastructure. The role includes mentoring a team, managing complex projects, and providing expert advice to clients while contributing to the company's goal of sustainable development.

Benefits

25 days holiday + your birthday off

Vitality Health membership

Flexible working policy

5% company pension contribution

Life insurance (4x salary)

Paid study leave

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Paid maternity leave (26 weeks)

Free on-site parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• MRTPI chartered or equivalent with a relevant planning degree.
• Experience in infrastructure or utilities planning projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver planning and environmental services across utility and infrastructure sites.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to team development.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality technical reports.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Education

MRTPI chartered

Planning degree

Job description

Senior Town Planner | Principal Town Planner

Location: Thetford

Penguin Recruitment is proud to be working with a leading specialist consultancy delivering expert planning and environmental services across the UK and Ireland. This company plays a key role in enabling the delivery of critical infrastructure projects across sectors such as renewables, utilities, and transport – all contributing to the UK’s Net Zero targets.

With a strong pipeline of work, the Environmental and Planning team is expanding. We’re now looking for an experienced Planner to take the lead on a range of strategic planning projects – from feasibility through to delivery – across high-profile capital schemes and property portfolio developments.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a senior role with real influence, where you’ll manage complex infrastructure and utility projects, support a growing planning team, and develop strong client relationships – all within a collaborative and future-focused business.

The Role

As a Planner, you will:

• Lead and deliver planning and environmental services across a variety of utility and infrastructure sites with differing sensitivities and technical challenges
• Oversee feasibility assessments, screenings, scoping and planning applications
• Prepare and deliver high-quality technical reports and provide strategic advice to clients and project stakeholders
• Develop relationships with internal teams, clients, local authorities and other stakeholders
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to line management and team development
• Actively support wider business development, identifying new opportunities and efficiencies
• Contribute to cross-disciplinary project teams across planning, environment, geospatial and land access

What We’re Looking For

• MRTPI chartered (or equivalent) with a relevant planning degree
• Extensive experience delivering infrastructure or utilities-related planning projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to produce technical reports and planning submissions
• Commercially aware and comfortable advising clients directly
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage and support others
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary consultancy or infrastructure environment desirable
• GIS knowledge and understanding of environmental technical disciplines advantageous
• Full UK driving licence

Benefits

• Competitive salary (DOE) + annual bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday + your birthday off
• Vitality Health membership (private healthcare, gym discounts & more)
• Flexible working policy to support work/life balance
• 5% company pension contribution
• Life insurance (4x salary)
• Paid study leave & career development support
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Paid maternity (26 weeks) and paternity leave (2 weeks)
• Sabbatical options after 3 years
• Free on-site parking (non-city offices)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Two company-wide events annually plus regular socials

Contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on 01792 362 010 or email [e-mail] for a confidential chat about this opportunity.