Principal Planner

Join this planning consultancy and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to providing personalized, clear, and realistic planning advice.

About the Role

As a Principal Planner, you will:

• Deliver on the company’s objectives by providing high-quality, personalized planning advice.
• Independently handle a variety of planning work and develop self-sufficiency in generating your own projects.
• Manage and nurture client relationships, ensuring proactive communication and outstanding service.
• Prepare fee proposals, conduct planning history and policy research, and undertake site visits.
• Develop written site appraisals, planning, design & access, heritage statements, and other related documentation.
• Manage pre-application advice requests and applications, including planning, enforcement, and listed building consent.
• Represent clients in planning committee meetings and at appeal hearings and inquiries as an expert witness.
• Coordinate small to medium project teams and assist senior staff on larger projects.
• Mentor junior staff, guiding their professional development and reviewing their work.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for candidates with:

• Chartered Planner/RTPI membership.
• A full driving license (exceptions can be considered).
• A solid understanding and capability in a wide range of planning work.
• Strong commercial understanding of development projects.
• Demonstrable private sector experience is desirable.

Key Skills and Attributes

Successful candidates will possess:

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail, ensuring high-quality and accurate work.
• Strong client relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication abilities.
• Commitment to treating colleagues with dignity and fostering a supportive workplace culture.
• Good literacy, numeracy, IT, and administrative skills.
• Self-motivation, drive, and a desire for continuous personal development.

Business Development and Performance

In this role, you will:

• Handle new enquiries and follow up promptly to secure new instructions.
• Achieve self-sufficiency in generating planning work through networking and client relationship development.
• Participate in company-wide business development projects and represent the company at networking events.
• Prepare and implement Individual Business Development Plans.
• Engage in broader business operational improvement initiatives.

Performance Measures

We are looking for candidates that value:

• Expertise and quality in work
• Commercial focus and client orientation
• Effective planning, organization, and confident communication
• Collaboration, motivation, and self-awareness in personal development

Apply today

If you are well-organized, detail-oriented, and committed to building strong client relationships while contributing to a collaborative workplace, we want to hear from you.