Senior Planner / Associate Planner Location: Thames Valley Region (Reading or Oxford-based, with hybrid working) Salary: Highly Competitive + Benefits Job Type: Full-time

About the Role: We're delighted to be working with a leading planning consultancy to recruit a Senior or Associate Planner to join their high-performing Central Planning Team. This is a rare opportunity to become part of one of the largest and most successful planning teams in the region, delivering a diverse mix of strategic land, residential, regeneration, and rural development projects across the Thames Valley and surrounding areas.

You'll be joining a collaborative and supportive team of around 25 planning professionals, working directly with Associate Directors and Directors to deliver expert planning advice and services for a broad portfolio of private and public sector clients. The role offers fast-track career development for motivated candidates with ambition and drive.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide high-quality planning consultancy advice to clients and internal stakeholders

Manage and deliver planning instructions independently after an initial integration period

Attend client meetings and provide regular project updates

Produce planning reports, applications, appeal documentation, and Local Plan representations

Support the promotion of strategic land and large-scale residential schemes

Contribute to business development by identifying opportunities and fostering client relationships

Assist with site promotion through Local Plan processes, including representation at Examinations in Public

Collaborate closely with colleagues across teams and offices

Ideal Candidate Profile:

MRTPI and/or MRICS qualified

3-6 years of professional planning experience, ideally with both public and private sector exposure

A practical and strategic understanding of property and land use planning

Demonstrated ability to independently manage client relationships and complex projects

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

Confident in report writing and presenting to clients and stakeholders

A proactive and commercially aware mindset

Full UK driving licence and access to a car for site visits

Why Apply?

Join one of the largest planning teams in the Thames Valley

Play a pivotal role on high-profile, strategic projects

Excellent opportunities for progression and professional development

Hybrid working and supportive team culture

Work closely with nationally recognised planning professionals within a market-leading consultancy



Interested?

Contact Sofia Conte [email protected] or call 01792 957386. We have many more vacancies available on our website.

This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a Recruitment Agency in respect to this position