Senior Town Planning Director: Lead Strategy & Projects

Energy Jobline CVL; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Buy/sell additional leave

Competitive bonus scheme

Company pension

Career break policy

Flexible and hybrid working

Diverse UK project portfolio

Senior leadership role

Professional development opportunities

Strong client relationships support

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment in Manchester seeks an Associate Director to lead a diverse planning portfolio and deliver commercially focused strategies for clients across the UK. You will drive business development, manage major projects, and supervise multidisciplinary teams from inception to delivery.

The role demands strong leadership, MRTPI or equivalent, and a track record of delivering complex planning outcomes with excellent client engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in town planning consultancy.
• Strong leadership and client relationship skills.
• Proven track record of managing complex planning projects.
• Commercially minded with business development focus.
• Experience with UK planning policy and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of planning projects from inception to completion.
• Provide strategic, commercially focused planning advice to clients.
• Develop planning strategies for complex development proposals.
• Research planning policy, history, legislation and constraints.
• Prepare and oversee planning appraisals, statements, reports and applications.
• Manage and monitor planning applications through the process.
• Lead negotiations with Local Planning Authorities and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Directors on major projects.
• Coordinate and manage external consultants and multidisciplinary teams.
• Maintain long-term client relationships.
• Provide updates and recommendations to clients.
• Identify risks and opportunities and propose proactive solutions.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Contribute to proposals and commercial management.
• Support strategic growth and development of the planning team.
• Mentor junior/mid-level team members.
• Contribute to internal processes and direction.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Business development

Project management

Strategic planning

Communication

Report writing

Team mentoring

Networking

Education

Town Planning degree

Master's degree

MRTPI status or equivalent

Job description

Penguin Recruitment in Manchester seeks an Associate Director to lead a diverse planning portfolio and deliver commercially focused strategies for clients across the UK. You will drive business development, manage major projects, and supervise multidisciplinary teams from inception to delivery.

The role demands strong leadership, MRTPI or equivalent, and a track record of delivering complex planning outcomes with excellent client engagement.