Associate Director - Town Planning

Job Title:

Associate Director - Town Planning

Location:

Manchester

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a creative, people-focused planning consultancy in its search for an Associate Director to join its growing team in Manchester.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and commercially minded planning professional to take on a senior leadership position within an ambitious consultancy. With a strong focus on bespoke planning strategies, collaboration and sustainable development, this role offers the opportunity to influence business growth, lead on significant projects and build lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders.

The Role

As an Associate Director, you will play a key role in leading planning projects, developing client relationships and driving the continued growth of the consultancy. You will combine technical planning expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and leadership to deliver successful outcomes for clients.

Working closely with clients, local planning authorities, consultant teams and other stakeholders, you will help unlock development potential through creative, commercially focused planning strategies.

Your responsibilities will include:

Leading and managing a diverse portfolio of planning projects across a range of sectors and development types.
Developing and implementing bespoke planning strategies to unlock development opportunities and deliver successful outcomes.
Providing strategic, commercially astute planning advice to clients from project inception through to delivery.
Overseeing the preparation, coordination and submission of planning applications, appeals and supporting documentation.
Building, managing and strengthening relationships with clients, local authorities, consultants and other key stakeholders.
Leading negotiations with planning officers and statutory consultees to progress complex planning applications.
Undertaking and overseeing planning appraisals, site assessments and feasibility work to identify opportunities and constraints.
Reviewing and overseeing high-quality planning statements, reports and professional advice.
Driving business development, identifying new opportunities and contributing to the consultancy's wider growth strategy.
Supporting the development of junior colleagues, sharing technical expertise and helping foster a collaborative team culture.
Contributing to the strategic direction of the business and helping maintain its reputation for creative, high-quality planning advice.
Balancing commercial objectives with the delivery of sustainable, inclusive and successful places.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Significant experience within a planning consultancy or a similar professional planning environment.
Strong technical knowledge of the UK planning system, planning policy and development management.
A proven track record of managing complex planning projects and advising clients at a strategic level.
Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.
A strong track record of building and maintaining successful client relationships.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to negotiate and influence key stakeholders.
Leadership experience, with the ability to mentor colleagues and contribute to team development.
A proactive, entrepreneurial and solutions-focused approach to planning.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance client objectives and planning requirements.
The ambition to play a leading role in the continued growth and success of a developing consultancy.

What's on Offer?

The opportunity to join an ambitious, growing and people-focused planning consultancy.
A senior leadership role with significant autonomy and responsibility.
The opportunity to influence business strategy and contribute to long-term growth.
Exposure to a diverse portfolio of projects and development opportunities.
The chance to build and develop key client relationships.
A collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, innovation and fresh thinking.
Opportunities to mentor and develop colleagues while helping shape the wider team.
The ability to contribute to sustainable, inclusive and vibrant places.
Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an…