Associate Director – Town Planning

Location: Preston or Manchester (Hybrid)

Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Excellent Benefits

The Opportunity

Our client is a well-established and highly respected independent planning consultancy with an excellent reputation for delivering commercially focused planning advice across a diverse range of development sectors.

Due to continued growth and an expanding project pipeline, they are looking to appoint an experienced Associate Director to join their senior leadership team. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planning professional looking to take on a strategic leadership role, influence the future direction of the business and progress towards Director level.

Working alongside the Directors, you’ll lead major planning projects, manage key client relationships, mentor junior colleagues and play a significant role in business development and the continued success of the consultancy.

The Role

As an Associate Director, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality planning advice across a varied portfolio of projects including residential, commercial, mixed-use, employment, regeneration, energy and strategic land developments.

You’ll be trusted to lead projects from inception through to completion while maintaining exceptional client relationships and identifying opportunities for future growth.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Lead and manage complex planning projects across a broad range of sectors.
• Provide strategic planning advice throughout the development process.
• Oversee planning applications, appeals, planning appraisals and Local Plan representations.
• Represent clients at meetings with Local Planning Authorities, stakeholders and, where appropriate, planning appeals and inquiries.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest professional standards.

Client Management

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients and professional teams.
• Act as the primary point of contact for key client accounts.
• Deliver commercially focused planning advice tailored to client objectives.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing client relationships.

Business Development

• Support the continued growth of the business through networking and relationship building.
• Prepare fee proposals, tender submissions and presentations.
• Develop new client relationships and secure new instructions.
• Contribute to the consultancy’s strategic growth plans.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and support planners at all levels.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance across project work.
• Assist with recruitment, performance management and career development.
• Promote a collaborative and positive team culture.

Commercial Responsibilities

• Manage project budgets and profitability.
• Monitor project programmes and resource allocation.
• Support business planning and operational improvements.
• Contribute to achieving financial and business performance targets.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced Chartered Town Planner with strong technical expertise, commercial awareness and leadership skills.

Essential Requirements

• MRTPI qualified.
• Significant experience within a private planning consultancy or comparable environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and planning legislation.
• Proven experience managing complex planning applications and strategic planning projects.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrable business development experience.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing and mentoring planning teams.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience appearing at planning appeals or public inquiries.
• Existing network of developer, landowner or property industry contacts.
• Experience working across residential, commercial, energy and regeneration sectors.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary.
• Performance-related bonus.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Pension scheme.
• Professional membership fees paid.
• Ongoing CPD and career development.
• Generous annual leave.
• Clear pathway to Director level.
• Opportunity to influence the growth and direction of a successful independent consultancy.
• Collaborative, supportive and entrepreneurial working environment.

If you’re an experienced planning professional looking to take the next step in your career with a consultancy that values autonomy, collaboration and commercial thinking, we’d love to hear from you.