Senior/Principal Town Planner

An independent planning consultancy is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior or Principal Planner to join its Hertfordshire office. Known for delivering clear, realistic advice and a tailored service, this consultancy works across multiple property sectors, including residential, commercial, leisure, energy, and heritage.

The firm's projects span a wide range, from large-scale, high-profile developments to smaller, intricate proposals where expert planning input adds significant value. Clients include major developers, commercial operators, landed estates, and private individuals.

With offices across the UK, the consultancy continues to expand, offering an exciting opportunity to join a respected firm that values staff development and client service excellence.

Key Candidate Qualities
Candidates should have comprehensive planning experience and a strong commercial awareness. The successful candidate will manage projects independently, cultivate client relationships, and contribute to business development efforts.

If you’re ready to take on a leadership role in a variety of projects, we’d love to hear from you. Competitive salary and benefits available.

Main Responsibilities

Planning Tasks

• Drafting detailed fee proposals in line with company guidelines
• Conducting planning history and policy research with accuracy
• Undertaking site visits and creating detailed reports independently
• Preparing written appraisals that provide clear recommendations for clients
• Offering planning advice to clients through written and verbal communication
• Managing and submitting pre-application advice requests, applications (including planning, enforcement, listed building consent, and certificates of lawfulness)
• Producing planning, design & access, and heritage statements for submission
• Submitting local plan representations and contributing to site promotions and examinations
• Managing appeals through written representations, hearings, or inquiries, and representing clients at hearings and site visits
• Liaising directly with clients across projects of various sizes
• Coordinating teams of consultants on smaller projects and assisting senior staff on larger ones
• Representing clients at planning committee meetings
• Maintaining regular communication with clients and teams throughout project lifecycles
• Proactively managing client relationships
• Handling personal, project, and financial administrative tasks as required

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Solid understanding of the full range of planning work
• Strong commercial awareness of development projects
• Understanding of planning consultancy business operations
• Ability to mentor and support junior staff in their development

Business Development

• Responding to new client enquiries and following up to secure new instructions
• Building and maintaining a personal network of contacts to generate independent planning work
• Participating in company-wide business development and networking initiatives
• Contributing to operational improvement projects within the business

If you’re ready for the next step in your planning career, apply today to join a supportive and growing consultancy.