Job Title: Planner to Associate Planner
Location: Ashby
Salary: £35,000 – £60,000 + Excellent Benefits
Employment: Full-time, Permanent | Hybrid Working
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-established, forward-thinking Strategic Planning team that is continuing to grow. We are seeking two talented planners—at Planner, Senior Planner, or Associate Town Planner level—to join an ambitious consultancy delivering high-quality planning services across the UK.
You will join a dynamic Planning Team and work closely with colleagues across a large, multidisciplinary business. The role offers outstanding project variety, strong progression pathways, and the chance to take ownership of exciting planning schemes across residential, commercial, retail and leisure sectors.
The Role
As a key member of the Strategic Planning Team, you will:
- Manage and prioritise your own caseload across varied planning projects
- Deliver high-quality consultancy advice to clients
- Mentor junior team members, including supporting candidates through their APC
- Prepare site reviews, planning strategies, and bespoke client advice
- Lead on planning applications, preparing reports, submissions and representations
- Undertake site promotion activities
- Build strong relationships with clients, local authorities, and project partners
- Coordinate with architects, highways, drainage, ecology and other specialists
- Attend and lead project meetings
- Negotiate to secure the best outcomes for clients
- Support colleagues with shared workloads and joint project work
- Manage budgets, time recording and invoicing
About You
We are seeking planners from Planner to Associate level, ideally with:
- MRTPI status (or working towards submission)
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- A proactive, self-motivated approach
- Ability to manage workloads, deadlines and competing priorities
- Solid understanding of the UK planning system and wider market
- High attention to detail
- Good IT and Microsoft Office skills
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a supportive team
What’s on Offer
Alongside a competitive salary (£35k–£60k DOE), you will receive:
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Generous holiday starting at 25 days, rising with service
- Your birthday off, plus additional festive leave
- Hybrid working aligned to project needs
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & shared parental leave
- Death-in-service & Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to online discounts and wellbeing support
- Two volunteering days per year
- Supportive, sociable, and digitally connected working environment
- Opportunities to get involved in sports events, socials, CPD days, team activities and more
Culture & Environment
This consultancy combines a long-standing history with a modern, forward-thinking approach. You’ll enjoy a hybrid working model, variety in your day-to-day environment, and a team that knows how to balance hard work with fun—whether it’s project collaboration in the office, virtual updates, seasonal events, or summer BBQs.
If you’re looking for a role where you can grow, take responsibility, and contribute to a thriving planning team, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested?
To find out more, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on 01792 362 010 or email josh.jones@penguinrecruitment.co.uk. CVs and informal enquiries are welcome.
