Job Description: Senior Town Planner

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Reporting to: Planning Director / Associate Director

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Town Planner to join our team in Leeds. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded planning professional to work on a diverse portfolio of projects across residential, commercial, mixed-use and strategic land development.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing planning applications, providing strategic planning advice and supporting clients throughout the planning process. You will take responsibility for projects from initial feasibility and planning strategy through to application submission, determination and post-consent support.

Working closely with clients, local authorities, consultants and internal stakeholders, you will help identify development opportunities, navigate complex planning issues and deliver commercially focused planning solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Planning Applications and Project Management

• Manage and coordinate planning applications, including major and minor development proposals.
• Prepare, review and submit planning statements, planning appraisals, supporting reports and other planning documentation.
• Lead projects through the planning process, managing timescales, budgets, risks and stakeholder expectations.
• Provide advice on planning policy, development management, permitted development and relevant planning legislation.
• Monitor planning applications and liaise with local planning authorities to secure timely decisions.
• Manage pre-application discussions, planning negotiations, appeals and post-planning matters where required.

Planning Strategy and Development Advice

• Undertake planning appraisals and assess the development potential of land and property assets.
• Advise clients on local and national planning policy, including the implications of emerging policy and changes to planning legislation.
• Identify planning opportunities, constraints and risks associated with prospective development sites.
• Provide strategic advice on land promotion, site allocation, development proposals and planning prospects.
• Support the preparation of planning strategies for residential, commercial, mixed-use and strategic development projects.

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, local authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders.
• Attend client meetings, planning committees, site visits and stakeholder consultations.
• Present planning advice clearly and confidently to clients and project teams.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including architects, transport consultants, ecologists, engineers and environmental specialists.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing client relationships and contribute to new business activity.

Team Leadership and Business Development

• Provide guidance, mentoring and support to junior planners and other team members.
• Review planning documents and ensure work meets the required technical and professional standards.
• Assist with fee proposals, project budgets, forecasting and resource planning.
• Contribute to business development initiatives, networking and the preparation of tenders and proposals.
• Keep up to date with changes in planning policy, legislation, case law and industry best practice.

Essential Requirements

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning, Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), or demonstrable progress towards chartership where appropriate.
• Significant professional experience in town planning, ideally within a planning consultancy, property development business or local authority.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), development plan policy and development management.
• Proven experience managing planning applications and providing planning advice to clients or project stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality planning reports and statements.
• Strong project management, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to deadlines.
• A commercially aware, proactive and client-focused approach.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working on major residential, commercial, mixed-use or strategic land projects.
• Knowledge of planning policy and development opportunities across Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region.
• Experience with planning appeals, Section 106 agreements, planning conditions and complex planning negotiations.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams.
• A track record of developing client relationships and contributing to business growth.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites and client meetings as required.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of development projects.
• Professional development and support for continued career progression.
• Opportunities to take ownership of projects and develop client relationships.
• A collaborative working environment with scope to progress into an Associate or senior leadership role.
• Flexible working arrangements, subject to business requirements.

About You

You are an experienced town planning professional who combines strong technical planning knowledge with commercial awareness and excellent client management skills. You are confident managing projects independently, building trusted relationships and identifying practical solutions to complex planning challenges.

You are keen to take the next step in your career, contribute to the growth of the business and play an active role in delivering high-quality development across Leeds and the wider region.

To apply: Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience, key projects and suitability for the role.