Director, BD Manager, Management

Director of Town Planning – New Office

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Employment Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

We are working with an ambitious and growing planning consultancy that is looking to appoint a Director of Town Planning to lead the establishment of a new office.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced planning professional with an entrepreneurial mindset to take ownership of a new regional operation, build a team, develop client relationships and play a key role in shaping the company’s continued growth.

The successful candidate will have the autonomy to develop the office in their own way, whilst being supported by an established wider business, its existing expertise and a strong platform for growth.

The Role

As Director, you will take responsibility for the successful launch and development of the new office, combining senior planning expertise with commercial leadership.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establishing and developing the new office from the ground up.
• Building and managing a high-performing planning team as the business grows.
• Developing new and existing client relationships across the region.
• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities and contributing to the office's commercial strategy.
• Leading planning projects across a range of sectors and providing high-level strategic planning advice.
• Acting as a senior point of contact for clients, stakeholders, local authorities and other professional advisers.
• Managing and mentoring planning professionals, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Representing the business at industry events, networking opportunities and within the local market.
• Working closely with the wider leadership team to align the new office with the company's broader objectives.
• Supporting recruitment, resource planning and the development of the office's culture and reputation.
• Taking responsibility for the financial and operational performance of the office.

About You

We are looking for an experienced planning professional who is ready to take the next step into a genuine leadership and business-building position.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within the UK town planning sector.
• A strong understanding of the planning system and experience delivering complex planning projects.
• A proven track record of developing and maintaining client relationships.
• Experience winning work and/or contributing to business development.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing a planning team.
• Strong commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial approach.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence and credibility to represent the business at a senior level.
• The ambition to build something and make the office your own.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is desirable.

Why This Opportunity?

This is not simply a role running an established office. It is an opportunity to build one.

You will have significant influence over the direction of the new operation, including its client base, team structure, culture and growth strategy. For the right individual, there is genuine scope to establish themselves as a key figure within the business and create a long-term platform for progression.

If you're an experienced planning professional with a strong network, commercial drive and the ambition to build a regional presence, we'd be keen to hear from you.