Senior Town Planning Consultant

Pink Granite Planning; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Company pension

Healthcare benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Pink Granite Planning seeks a Senior Town Planning Consultant to lead a small, dynamic team, delivering strategic planning advice and managing complex applications from feasibility through determination. The role is client-facing, with hybrid remote work and frequent UK travel.

You will collaborate with Directors, develop planning strategies, supervise consultants, and ensure high-quality outcomes across residential, commercial, and renewable energy projects.

Qualifications

• A RTPI-accredited degree or related planning qualification.
• MRTPI status or actively working towards Elected Membership.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in planning consultancy or Development Management within local authorities.
• Experience leading a team through complex projects.
• Strong project management, communication, negotiation and organisation skills.
• Full UK driving license and ability to travel across the UK (remote-hybrid).

Responsibilities

• Lead on research, preparation and project management of development proposals.
• Advise clients on technical and policy information.
• Draft fee proposals and track project progress.
• Manage client relations with local authorities and stakeholders.
• Draft planning statements, reports and policy analyses.
• Support Directors on complex or large-scale proposals.
• Lead the team and provide day-to-day guidance.
• Report caseloads and business operations to Directors.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Negotiation

Communication

Independent thinking

Education

RTPI-accredited degree

MRTPI status or pursuing membership

Job description

As a Senior Town Planning Consultant, you will lead by example with a professional, friendly, can-do attitude, whilst supporting and developing your own team. Working closely with the Directors and leading a small but enthusiastic team, you will know when to ask for help and you will maximise your hands-on experience of preparing, submitting and managing planning applications, providing strategic advice, and project managing projects from early feasibility through to determination. Excellent customer service skills are a must; and a detailed understanding of planning systems and processes will be required to problem-solve and provide bespoke strategic advice to clients. You will be capable of working autonomously (remote-hybrid) and take ownership of a diverse range of development projects including residential, agriculture, commercial, industrial, renewable energy and mixed-use schemes. As Senior Planner, you will be client-facing and have a track record of managing complex planning applications requiring strategic solutions and sharp management of third-party consultants to achieve positive outcomes for clients. We are looking for someone who is not afraid of hard work, has a good sense of humour, and will prioritise the needs of the business, in return for genuine camaraderie, a competitive salary, flexible working, and excellent career prospects with us.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the research, preparation, and project management of all forms of development proposals, including: new enquiries, site/project appraisals, Permitted Development Rights, local, large-scale, complex and Major planning applications, including appeal submissions
• Analyse technical and policy-based information to accurately and strategically advise clients on development proposals
• Draft Fee Proposals and ensure project trackers and weekly/monthly targets are met
• Client management and engagement with local authorities and key stakeholders in an effective and professional manner
• Draft planning statements, reports and policy analyses as part of project delivery
• Support the Directors on complex or large-scale development proposals
• Lead the team, providing the necessary day-to-day support with patience and respect
• Report regularly on caseloads, specific projects and business operations to the Directors, identifying challenges and possible solutions early
• Work alongside a team of seasoned planners to develop innovative and pragmatic planning strategies to steer projects smoothly through the application process

What you’ll bring

• A degree accredited by the RTPI or related planning qualification
• MRTPI status or actively be working towards Elected Membership
• Minimum 5 years experience ideally within a planning consultancy, or Development Management Local Authority planning team
• Experience leading a team through complex challenges/ multiple projects
• Sharp and demonstratable Project management Skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with attention to detail and independent thought
• Strong negotiation, leadership and organisation skills
• A proactive, pragmatic and organised approach with a passion for planning
• A career-focused approach to workloads and a keenness to develop your career with us
• The position will involve remote working and will require occasional travel across the UK
• The ideal candidate will be willing to work on a hybrid basis and will require a full UK driver’s license
• Strong work-life balance through 9-day fortnight (for full-time contract) and flexible working arrangements
• You’ll be supported in forming your professional development pathway, including mentorship to Elected Membership of the RTPI and ongoing CPD
• Be a part of a fresh and dynamic, friendly team where your work genuinely matters
• Hybrid working within a positive, highly collaborative and people-focused culture
• Company pension and healthcare benefits

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and barrier free. If you require any workplace adjustments or adjustments to the recruitment process due to a disability, physical or mental health condition, or other needs, please let us know when you get in touch with us