Town Planner in Bristol)

Penguin Recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing placemaking consultancy in Bristol is seeking a Senior / Associate Town Planner to join their team. This role offers an opportunity to lead planning projects and work collaboratively with urban design and landscape teams. Ideal candidates will have relevant professional planning experience and a strong understanding of the UK planning system, alongside MRTPI status or working towards it. Hybrid working arrangements and strong career development opportunities are provided.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Hybrid working and flexible arrangements

Profit share scheme (employee-owned company)

Company health plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Opportunity to work on nationally significant projects

Genuine scope for career development

Qualifications

• Ability to manage projects independently and confidently lead client discussions.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing planning projects from inception to submission.
• Preparing and coordinating planning applications and supporting documents.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients across both public and private sectors.
• Working collaboratively with urban design and landscape teams.
• Engaging with local authorities, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Supporting business development and helping grow the planning team.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to a positive studio culture.

Skills

Relevant professional planning experience

Strong understanding of the UK planning system

Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills

Proactive, positive, and commercially aware approach

Education

MRTPI status or working towards chartership

Job description

Senior / Associate Town Planner

Location: Bristol

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an established and growing placemaking consultancy in their search for a Senior / Associate Town Planner to join their Bristol office. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of an employee‑owned business that combines planning, urban design, and landscape expertise to deliver quality sustainable places.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• Hybrid working and flexible arrangements
• Profit share scheme (employee‑owned company)
• Company health plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant projects
• Genuine scope for career development within a fast growing business

The Role

As a Senior / Associate Town Planner, you will play a key role in delivering planning strategies, managing applications, and leading on a diverse range of development projects. You'll work closely with in‑house urban design and landscape teams, contributing to projects at every stage of the planning process across sectors including residential, commercial, education, healthcare, energy, mixed‑use regeneration, and industrial development.

This role offers the chance to shape high quality places while contributing to the continued growth of a consultancy with an excellent reputation in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and managing planning projects from inception to submission
• Preparing and coordinating planning applications, appraisals, and supporting documents
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients across both public and private sectors
• Working collaboratively with urban design and landscape teams
• Engaging with local authorities, stakeholders, and community groups
• Supporting business development and helping grow the planning team
• Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to a positive studio culture

About You

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior / Associate Town Planner who thrives in a collaborative, design‑led environment and enjoys taking responsibility for complex and meaningful projects.

Requirements

• Relevant professional planning experience
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system
• MRTPI status or working towards chartership
• Ability to manage projects independently and confidently lead client discussions
• Experience coordinating multi disciplinary teams
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• A proactive, positive, and commercially aware approach to work

This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a planning team that works at the heart of a wider placemaking consultancy helping shape beautiful, functional, and sustainable environments.

If you are interested in this Senior / Associate Town Planner position, please contact Joel Bland at Penguin Recruitment.