Senior Town Planner | Principal Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Sutton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flex working

Company pension

Career progression

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd in Sutton Coldfield is seeking a Senior/Principal Planner to join our planning team on a permanent basis. You will manage a varied portfolio of projects, from inception to determination, and help clients navigate residential, commercial and retail schemes.

The role offers hybrid/flexible working, MRTPI progression, and opportunities to lead on appeals and strategic land promotion within an established consultancy.

Qualifications

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Planning or a related discipline.
• MRTPI accreditation or working towards chartership, depending on level of appointment.
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy, local authority or related planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and current planning policy.
• Experience managing planning applications and providing planning advice to clients.
• Experience across residential development and/or strategic land would be advantageous.
• Experience with planning appeals, local plan representations or public consultation would be beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• The confidence to manage client relationships and work independently.
• A commercial and solutions-focused approach to planning.

Responsibilities

• Managing planning applications and projects from initial instruction through to determination.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients on development opportunities and constraints.
• Undertaking site appraisals, planning assessments and feasibility work.
• Preparing and reviewing planning statements, representations and other planning documentation.
• Advising on planning policy, development management and emerging local plans.
• Managing relationships with clients, local planning authorities, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Supporting and/or leading planning appeals, hearings and inquiries where appropriate.
• Assisting with strategic land promotion and site representations.
• Providing input into development proposals, layouts and design considerations.
• Mentoring and supporting junior members of the planning team.
• Contributing to the continued growth and development of the planning consultancy.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Client relationships

Commercial mindset

Education

Degree in Planning

MRTPI accreditation / chartership in progress

Job description

Senior / Principal Planner

Sutton Coldfield | Permanent

Salary: £45,000/£55,000

An established and growing planning consultancy is looking to appoint an experienced Senior or Principal Planner to join its team in Sutton Coldfield.

The successful candidate will join a well-established planning practice delivering advice across a broad range of development projects, including residential, commercial and retail schemes, strategic land promotion, regeneration projects, planning appeals and development management.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner looking to take on greater responsibility, work closely with clients and play a key role in delivering high-quality planning advice.

The Role

As a Senior/Principal Planner, you will be responsible for managing a varied portfolio of planning projects from inception through to determination and appeal where required.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing planning applications and projects from initial instruction through to determination.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients on development opportunities and constraints.
• Undertaking site appraisals, planning assessments and feasibility work.
• Preparing and reviewing planning statements, representations and other planning documentation.
• Advising on planning policy, development management and emerging local plans.
• Managing relationships with clients, local planning authorities, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Supporting and/or leading planning appeals, hearings and inquiries where appropriate.
• Assisting with strategic land promotion and site representations.
• Providing input into development proposals, layouts and design considerations.
• Mentoring and supporting junior members of the planning team.
• Contributing to the continued growth and development of the planning consultancy.

Requirements

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Planning or a related discipline.
• MRTPI accreditation or be working towards chartership, depending on level of appointment.
• Significant experience within a planning consultancy, local authority or related planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and current planning policy.
• Experience managing planning applications and providing planning advice to clients.
• Experience across residential development and/or strategic land would be advantageous.
• Experience with planning appeals, local plan representations or public consultation would be beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• The confidence to manage client relationships and work independently.
• A commercial and solutions-focused approach to planning.

Benefits

The company offers a supportive and professional working environment, with the opportunity to work on a diverse range of planning projects and develop your career within an established consultancy.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Career progression towards Principal/Associate-level responsibility.
• Varied and interesting project portfolio.
• Professional development and support with career progression.
• Opportunity to work closely with senior planning professionals and clients.
• A collaborative and approachable working environment.
• Exposure to strategic planning, development management, appeals and land promotion.
• Company benefits package and pension.
• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements, subject to business requirements.