Planning Director

DLP is one of the UK’s leading employee‑owned planning‑led practices, providing tailored multidisciplinary advice to our clients across the development sector.

Joining DLP provides experience working alongside skilled professionals who will give guidance and support to grow your career as a professional planner. You will also work on a wide variety of clients and projects across both the private and public sectors and alongside colleagues in the wider DLP Group’s core business sectors which include:

• Planning Research & Analysis
• Transport & Infrastructure
• Sustainability Engineering

The range of benefits that we offer to our employees includes private healthcare with BUPA, life insurance, company salary sacrifice pension, cycle‑to‑work scheme, contributions towards professional subscriptions and an enhanced maternity scheme.

Our Sheffield Office serves a wide area covering Yorkshire and The Humber and the wider north of England. The Sheffield Office includes members of the Sustainable Development Delivery team (SDD) and Research and Analysis (R&A). This mix of specialisms allows for collaborative working.

We are looking for a qualified Town Planner with at least 10 years+ professional experience, preferably in private sector consultancy or a mixture with public sector and client‑side roles. Candidates should have a postgraduate qualification in Planning and be a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

• Lead the Sheffield Planning Office, further developing its profile and building upon its well‑established project portfolio.
• Take a leading role in further building the team.
• Manage and grow the established Planning team.
• Provide leadership and mentoring for the office and team as it grows.
• Develop the client base including oversight of existing client instructions and development of new client opportunities.
• Manage the workloads and professional development of staff, ensuring all required standards are met.
• Maintain Office profitability, including client accounts, budgeting and income projections.
• Develop and secure specific opportunities in identifiable growth sectors.
• Contribute to company‑wide business and development strategy, and report to the Board of Directors and the Managing Director.

As a Director you will confidently lead on projects and engage in both development management and development plan / policy work, including managing major planning applications, planning appeals, Local Plan representations, site promotion, Local Plan Examination and public inquiry work. You should have experience managing professional teams and be able to provide leadership and vision. With excellent stakeholder management skills, you will be at the forefront of client development, attend networking events to promote the company and maintain a strong client‑facing presence with a proven record in business development.

A full driving licence is essential.

If you are interested in a Director position at DLP, please send your current CV to