Director of Town Planning

Salary:
Competitive + Executive Benefits + Bonus The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Director of Town Planning to open up a new office in Leeds. This is a senior leadership position offering the opportunity to drive the growth of an established planning team across Yorkshire and the wider North of England.

This role would suit an established Planning Director looking for a fresh challenge or an experienced Associate Director seeking the next step into a leadership position with genuine autonomy and a clear influence on the future growth of the business.

As Director of Town Planning, you will:

• Lead and develop a successful planning team, providing strategic direction, mentoring and technical leadership.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of planning projects across residential, commercial, industrial, logistics, mixed-use, retail, energy and regeneration sectors.
• Act as the primary client contact on major developments, building and maintaining long-term relationships.
• Lead the preparation, review and submission of planning applications, appeals and strategic planning advice.
• Provide expert guidance on planning strategy, development potential and planning risk.
• Represent clients at planning committees, public consultations, hearings, examinations and appeal proceedings where required.
• Drive business development activities, identifying new opportunities, preparing fee proposals and securing new commissions.
• Support recruitment, team development and succession planning as the business continues to grow.
• Monitor financial performance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest professional standards.
• Keep abreast of changes to national planning policy, local plans and emerging legislation.

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree (or equivalent) in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Significant experience within private-sector planning consultancy.
• A proven background in development management and strategic planning.
• Extensive experience leading planning applications across a variety of development sectors.
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system and planning policy framework.
• Demonstrable experience managing clients, projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• A successful track record of winning work and contributing to business growth.
• Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to identify new business opportunities.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership qualities with experience mentoring and developing planning professionals.

• Annual performance bonus.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Company pension scheme.
• Car allowance or company car.
• Life assurance and enhanced family-friendly benefits.
• Ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape the future of a growing planning team within a highly respected consultancy.
• A clear pathway to Regional Director or Equity Partner for the right individual.