Town Planning Director

Job Title:
Director – Town Planning

Location:
Liverpool (Hybrid)

Penguin Recruitment is working on behalf of a well-established, employee-owned multidisciplinary planning and design consultancy to appoint an experienced Planning Director for its centrally located Liverpool office.

This is a senior leadership opportunity to take ownership of a growing regional planning team within a nationally active consultancy known for delivering tailored advice across the development sector.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will lead and further develop the Liverpool Planning Office, building on an existing and well-regarded client portfolio while helping to grow the wider business through cross-selling services across a strong multidisciplinary offer, including:

• Planning Research & Analysis
• Master planning & Urban Design
• Architecture
• Transport & Infrastructure
• Sustainability Engineering
• Environmental Services

The Liverpool office serves projects across the North West and Scotland and works closely with in-house design and master planning teams, allowing for genuinely collaborative project delivery.

You will join a close and supportive senior leadership team, with regular Director-level engagement, 1:1s with the Managing Director, and a structured review process.

The Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Liverpool Planning team
• Provide clear leadership, mentoring and strategic direction
• Manage and oversee major planning projects including applications, appeals, Local Plans, examinations and inquiries
• Develop and strengthen existing client relationships while generating new business opportunities
• Identify and secure growth in targeted development sectors
• Take responsibility for office financial performance and resourcing
• Contribute to company-wide business strategy and senior management
• Represent the business at networking and industry events
• Assemble and lead project teams across the national office network

About You

• MRTPI qualified with a postgraduate degree in Planning
• Ideally professional experience, gained within private consultancy, public sector or client-side roles
• Proven experience managing professional planning teams
• Strong track record in business development and client leadership
• Established professional network with clear ideas for future growth
• Confident leading complex development management and policy work
• Commercially aware, collaborative and people-focused

What’s on Offer

• Senior leadership role within an employee-owned organisation
• Competitive, negotiable salary
• Hybrid working with core office collaboration days
• Private healthcare, life insurance and enhanced pension options
• Generous annual leave plus gifted time off over Christmas
• Enhanced maternity scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Strong commitment to wellbeing, diversity and inclusion
• Active CPD and training programme, with Directors contributing to thought leadership and industry insight

The hiring manager is looking to meet suitable candidates ASAP. If you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on or josh