Associate Director of Planning

Associate Director, Planning (Multiple Locations) Locations: Key locations including Guildford, Lewes, Cirencester and Shrewsbury Contract: Permanent, Full-TimeSalary: Competitive + excellent benefitsAbout the Opportunity We are working with an established national UK property consultancy with a historic reputation for combining deep local market expertise with strategic, commercially-driven planning and land advisory services. The business operates through a network of 50+ offices across England and Scotland , providing specialist support in residential, commercial, rural and strategic land sectors, and forms part of a wider global real estate group with international reach and resources.

This is a key senior planning appointment , with hiring focused in key locations including Guildford, Lewes, Cirencester and Shrewsbury , offering the opportunity to lead challenging and varied planning projects, shape planning strategy, and contribute to the growth of a respected national planning team.The Role As an Associate Director, Planning , you will be responsible for:

• Leading a range of planning applications, appeals and Local Plan matters .
• Advising landowners, developers and land promoters on planning strategy and delivery.
• Leading your own projects from inception to successful completion.
• Supporting senior colleagues with complex cases and contributing to practice development initiatives.
• Building long-term client relationships and, over time, developing your own client base.

You will operate within a supportive, collaborative multidisciplinary environment with access to expertise in development management, estate management, strategic land and wider commercial property teams.What We're Looking For Essential Requirements

• MRTPI qualified (Chartered Town Planner) with demonstrable career progression and planning delivery experience.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to manage stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and reporting skills.
• The ability to work well within a team while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• A proactive, commercially astute individual with a flexible, solution-orientated approach.

Competencies

• Agility in managing multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
• Initiative and self-motivation with minimal supervision.
• Commercial awareness with a focus on delivering high standards of client service.
• Strong organisational skills, including time and budget management.
• A commitment to continuous professional improvement and quality delivery.

Person Specification

• A natural team player with the aspiration to build a strong professional reputation and local profile.
• The ability to form and maintain effective relationships with clients, colleagues, advisors and external partners.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering successful planning outcomes in a timely manner.

Professional Skills & Qualifications

• Chartered membership of the RTPI .
• Excellent research and analytical capabilities.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and internet research.

Benefits Package Our client offers an award-winning benefits programme designed to support and reward employees, including:Health & Leisure

• Private medical insurance
• 27 days annual leave + public holidays (option to purchase up to 5 additional days)
• Health screening and wellbeing support
• Gym and leisure discounts
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Travel and retail discounts
• Volunteering opportunities
• Social events, sports teams and charity involvement

Financial & Professional

• Workplace pension
• Company car allowance
• Life assurance at 8 basic salary
• Group income protection (long-term disability)
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Bonus scheme eligibility
• Share incentive plan
• Financial planning and mortgage advice support

Why This Role Matters This is a rare opportunity to join a truly national planning team that combines deep local insight with strategic land advisory capability, trusted by private estates, developers and institutional clients alike. The successful candidate will enjoy a high level of autonomy, the chance to work on diverse schemes across residential, mixed-use and strategic land portfolios, and the platform to accelerate their professional profile.