Associate Director – Town Planning
Location: Altrincham, Greater Manchester (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £60,000 – £75,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
The Opportunity
I’m currently working with a growing and highly regarded independent planning consultancy looking to appoint an Associate Director to join its expanding team in Altrincham.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the business at a pivotal stage in its growth. With ambitious expansion plans already underway, the consultancy is in the process of opening new offices in Manchester City Centre and Leeds, creating genuine opportunities for ambitious planning professionals to help shape the future direction of the business.
The consultancy has built an excellent reputation for providing commercially focused planning advice across residential, mixed-use, regeneration and strategic development projects. As an Associate Director, you’ll play a key role in leading projects, developing client relationships, mentoring the planning team and contributing to the continued growth and success of the business.
This position offers the chance to become part of a collaborative, forward-thinking consultancy where your ideas will be valued, your progression supported and your contribution recognised.
The Role
As an Associate Director, you will:
- Lead a diverse portfolio of planning projects from initial appraisal through to determination.
- Provide strategic planning advice to developers, landowners, investors and housebuilders.
- Manage complex planning applications, appeals and site promotion projects.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with new and existing clients.
- Lead negotiations with Local Planning Authorities, statutory consultees and key stakeholders.
- Support and contribute to business development initiatives, networking and winning new work.
- Mentor, develop and manage junior members of the planning team.
- Work closely with the Directors to help shape the continued growth of the consultancy.
- Play an active role in the expansion of the business, including the development of the new Manchester City Centre and Leeds offices.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest professional standards.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- MRTPI Chartered status.
- Significant experience within a private planning consultancy or developer.
- A strong track record of managing complex planning projects.
- Excellent knowledge of the UK planning system.
- Strong commercial awareness and client management skills.
- Experience developing client relationships and supporting business growth.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and report writing skills.
- Previous experience mentoring or managing planning professionals.
- A proactive and entrepreneurial approach to work.
- Full UK driving licence (preferred).
Experience across residential development, strategic land, regeneration or mixed-use schemes would be highly advantageous.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary of £60,000 – £75,000.
- Annual performance bonus.
- Hybrid and flexible working.
- Clear pathway towards Director level.
- The opportunity to play a key role in the company’s expansion into Manchester City Centre and Leeds.
- Exposure to high-profile residential, strategic land and mixed-use developments.
- Significant autonomy and responsibility.
- Ongoing professional development and CPD.
- Pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- Regular team socials and networking opportunities.
- A supportive, collaborative and ambitious working environment.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning professional looking to take the next step into a senior leadership position within an ambitious and growing consultancy. With exciting expansion plans, a strong pipeline of work and the opening of new offices in Manchester City Centre and Leeds, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the future of the business, develop your own client base and play a key role in its continued success while working on a diverse portfolio of high-profile planning projects.