Senior Town Planner | Principal Planner in Thetford)

Penguin Recruitment; Thetford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Town Planner to lead strategic planning projects that contribute to critical infrastructure across the UK. This role offers the chance to manage complex utility projects and mentor junior staff within a collaborative team. With a focus on delivering high-quality planning services, you will build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders while supporting the company's growth in a future-focused environment. If you're driven by making a significant impact in planning and environmental services, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

25 days holiday + 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 and paternity leave

Sabbatical options after 3 years

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• MRTPI chartered or equivalent with relevant planning degree.
• Extensive experience in infrastructure or utilities-related planning projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver planning and environmental services across utility and infrastructure sites.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports and provide strategic advice to clients.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Technical Report Writing

Client Advisory

GIS Knowledge

Education

MRTPI Chartered

Relevant Planning Degree

Tools

GIS Software

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