Associate Town Planner

The Opportunity

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with an established multidisciplinary consultancy to recruit an Associate Town Planner with strong experience in strategic land promotion, major residential development and complex planning applications.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced MRTPI planner who enjoys combining technical planning expertise with client leadership, project management and business development.

You will take a leading role across a portfolio of strategic development projects, helping clients secure site allocations and planning consents while coordinating multidisciplinary teams through complex planning processes.

There is also plenty of scope to develop client relationships, contribute to work winning and play an active role in the continued growth of the planning team.

The Role

You will lead planning inputs across strategic land and development projects, taking schemes from early strategy and site promotion through planning applications, consent and implementation.

The portfolio has a strong focus on residential-led strategic development, alongside opportunities to work across different sectors, scales and locations.

You will work closely with specialists across planning, design and environmental disciplines, providing clients with clear strategic advice and coordinating projects through the planning system.

At Associate level, you will also contribute to the wider direction of the planning team, supporting junior colleagues, developing client relationships and helping to grow the planning offer.

The Company

You will be joining an established and respected multidisciplinary consultancy working across planning, design and the environment.

The business delivers a varied portfolio of projects throughout the UK and brings together specialists from different disciplines to provide joined-up advice to clients.

There is a strong emphasis on collaboration, professional development and delivering high-quality work that creates positive and lasting outcomes for places, communities and the environment.

You will be joining an experienced planning team where you can continue developing your career while having genuine input into the growth and direction of the service.

What You'll Be Doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading planning strategies for strategic site promotion, land allocations and planning applications.
• Advising clients on planning strategy across a range of development projects, with a particular focus on residential-led schemes.
• Leading site appraisals, feasibility assessments and planning risk reviews.
• Managing major, complex and multi-phase planning applications, including outline, detailed and reserved matters submissions.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• Providing planning-led project management, including programme and budget oversight.
• Supporting clients with post-consent and implementation strategies.
• Advising on emerging planning policy, regulatory changes and planning permissions.
• Playing a key role in planning appeals, either as an Expert Witness or providing strategic planning support.
• Working alongside Counsel and other professional advisers where required.
• Leading and supporting involvement in Local Plan examinations.
• Contributing to strategic plan-making and wider spatial development work.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants and stakeholders.
• Supporting and leading bids, tenders and proposals.
• Identifying opportunities to develop existing relationships and introduce new clients.
• Providing clients with informed advice on planning policy, case law and regulatory change.
• Contributing to business planning and the continued development of the planning service.
• Line managing, mentoring and supporting junior planners.

About You

You will be an experienced town planner with a strong understanding of the UK planning system and a successful track record in strategic land promotion.

You will ideally have:

• MRTPI accreditation.
• Around 10 years or more of UK planning experience.
• Strong strategic land promotion experience, including securing site allocations.
• Experience managing major and complex planning applications.
• A good understanding of residential-led development.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning policy and the plan-making process.
• Experience of Local Plans, examinations and/or planning appeals.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and project management capabilities.
• Confidence developing client relationships and contributing to new business.
• Experience mentoring, supporting or managing junior planners.

You will be comfortable taking ownership of complex projects while working collaboratively with colleagues and clients. You will also bring the commercial awareness and relationship-building skills needed at Associate level, alongside strong technical planning judgement.

Location and Flexibility

The role can be based in Oxford, Bristol or Exeter, with hybrid and flexible working available.

Candidates based within reasonable travelling distance of other UK office locations may also be considered, depending on experience and individual working arrangements.

If you are an Associate Town Planner, or an experienced Senior or Principal Planner ready to progress, and have a background in strategic land promotion and major residential development, we would be very happy to have a confidential conversation.

To apply or find out more, please send your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk.