Planners, Senior Planners & Principal Planners

Location: Colchester office, with hybrid working

Levels: Planner (a few years’ experience) through to Senior & Principal Planner

Hours: Full-time or part-time, with flexible hours

RTPI membership: Desirable, but not essential

Salary: Banded by level, see our website

Are you an experienced Town Planner ready for your next challenge?

At DAC Planning Ltd
, we don’t just recruit against a job spec – we recruit for the right person. Whether you are a few years into your planning career or an established Senior or Principal Planner, we want to hear from you.

We are an award-winning, friendly and growing consultancy supporting local authorities and public sector bodies nationwide. If you love the plan-led system and want to work on high-profile projects that make a genuine difference, this is your next step.

We put our team first. Here is what we offer:

• Flexible, Hybrid Working: Our team is office-based in Colchester, with hybrid working that grows with your experience. Flexible hours, and full-time or part-time options. For highly experienced planners, remote-first working can be considered, with regular office attendance (weekly or monthly, agreed individually).
• Award-Winning Culture: Winners of the RTPI Excellence in Digital Planning Award (2025) and RTPI Small Planning Consultancy of the Year (East of England).
• Growth & Progression: Clear career paths, fully funded RTPI subscriptions, and ongoing CPD (including national conferences).
• Great Perks: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, and a virtual GP.
• Giving Back: Fully supported volunteering opportunities at Jordan’s Farm, a local rewilding project.

You will work on a diverse, high-profile portfolio tailored to your experience and strengths, including:

• Local Plan production, policy drafting, and examination support
• Strategic development management and infrastructure planning (CIL/S106)
• Delivering training through our dedicated service,
  The Planning Academy
• Neighbourhood planning, research projects, and appeals

Full job descriptions, along with salary bandings, for Planner, Senior Planner & Principal Planner are available on our website:

• You have real planning experience. This is not a graduate role: we are looking for planners with professional experience, from a few years into your career through to Senior and Principal level, in either the public or private sector. We are unable to consider applicants whose only experience is through placements or work experience.
• RTPI membership is desirable but not essential. Ideally you are a Chartered Member or working towards chartership, but the right person is the most important criteria.
• You have a proven track record of high-quality planning work (ideally with some policy or Local Plan experience).
• You are a self-motivated, collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.
• You have the full right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

• Closing Date: 30th November 2026. (We review applications as they arrive, so early applications are encouraged!)

Or reach out for an informal, confidential chat at  or

DAC Planning Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.