Town Planning Director

Town Planning Director

Bristol

This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished Planning Director to play a leading role within a highly regarded and growing consultancy in Bristol
, shaping both major development projects and the future direction of the regional planning team.

We are seeking a senior, commercially astute planner with a strong market profile, capable of leading complex planning strategies, growing client relationships, and driving the continued expansion of a successful South West planning business.

As Planning Director, you will take a strategic leadership role
, combining hands‑on involvement in high‑profile projects with responsibility for team leadership, business development and regional growth.

You will work on some of the most significant and transformative schemes in Bristol and the wider South West
, including:

• Major city‑centre and brownfield regeneration projects
• Large‑scale mixed‑use, residential and commercial developments
• Science, technology, R&D and innovation‑led schemes
• Strategic land and long‑term promotion projects

You will collaborate closely with colleagues across development, agency, capital markets, rural and building consultancy teams, providing clients with integrated, commercially focused advice.

• Providing strategic planning advice to key clients and stakeholders
• Leading and overseeing complex planning applications, appeals and development strategies
• Acting as a senior point of contact with local planning authorities, statutory consultees and elected members
• Representing clients at meetings, committees and public consultations
• Driving business development
  , securing new instructions and growing existing client relationships
• Playing a central role in shaping the growth and direction of the Bristol planning team
• Mentoring, managing and developing senior and junior planners
• Contributing to wider office and departmental leadership initiatives
• Managing commercial performance, project budgets and risk

• MRTPI qualified with significant post‑qualification experience
• Proven track record at Associate Director / Director level within consultancy or a comparable senior public‑sector role
• Strong commercial awareness and client‑facing experience
• Demonstrable success in winning work and growing client accounts
• Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills
• Deep understanding of the planning system and current policy environment
• Motivated by building teams, developing people and shaping places

• Leadership role within a growing and ambitious Bristol planning team
• Opportunity to influence major regeneration and development outcomes
• High level of autonomy, profile and responsibility
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary environment where leadership is valued
• Clear scope to shape regional growth and long‑term strategy
• Culture that rewards performance, initiative and contribution rather than tenure

• Highly competitive salary and performance‑related bonus
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Car allowance
• Private medical insurance and wellbeing support
  
  Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Generous holiday allowance plus wellbeing days
• Professional development and leadership support
• Regular social, team and business‑wide events