Associate Director - Town Planning

Job Title: Associate Director – Town Planning
Location: London

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multidisciplinary consultancy in their search for an experienced Associate Director to join their growing London planning team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional looking to take the next step in their career with a highly regarded consultancy working across major infrastructure, development and environmental projects.

The business has an established presence across the UK and works at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure and development, including areas such as Net Zero, ESG, Biodiversity Net Gain and digital transformation.

The Role

As an Associate Director, you will take a senior leadership role within the planning team, working across major multidisciplinary projects while developing client relationships, supporting business growth and mentoring colleagues.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting as Planning Lead on major projects across a range of markets and sectors.
• Leading the preparation of bids, tender submissions and framework responses.
• Acting as lead consultant on multidisciplinary projects and taking responsibility for project management and delivery.
• Leading the coordination and delivery of environmental and planning work across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Working on major infrastructure projects and complex planning and consenting applications.
• Providing planning and strategic advice to clients and project teams.
• Supporting the commercial and resource management of projects, bids and local teams.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Identifying and pursuing new business and work–winning opportunities.
• Championing high standards of technical delivery and ensuring planning and environmental considerations are embedded throughout projects.
• Preparing and reviewing high–quality reports, planning submissions and technical documentation.
• Reviewing the work of colleagues and providing guidance and support to junior members of the team.
• Mentoring and developing members of the planning team.
• Working collaboratively with environmental, engineering, design and other technical specialists.
• Supporting the continued growth and development of the wider planning business.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A relevant degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the RTPI.
• Significant experience working on major infrastructure and development projects.
• Experience leading large–scale TCPA planning applications with a successful track record of delivery.
• Experience holding lead roles on DCO, Hybrid Bill, Highways Act or TWAO projects.
• Strong knowledge of the planning and environmental consenting process.
• Comprehensive understanding of the EIA process would be highly advantageous.
• Experience across strategic planning and planning policy.
• Strong project management and commercial coordination experience.
• Experience managing multiple projects and delivering work to deadlines and within budget.
• Proven experience in business development, work winning and supporting market growth.
• A demonstrable ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to operate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and take a lead role on complex projects.
• A proactive, commercially minded and ambitious approach to career development.

What's on Offer?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning professional to join a highly regarded multidisciplinary consultancy at Associate Director level.

You will have the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure and development projects, take a leading role in client relationships and business development, and play an important part in the continued growth of the planning team.

The role offers excellent career progression, professional development, exposure to major projects and the opportunity to work alongside specialists across planning, environmental, engineering and design disciplines.

If you are an experienced Town Planner operating at Associate Director level and are looking for a new challenge within a progressive consultancy, Penguin Recruitment would be keen to hear from you.

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on or