Penguin Recruitment is pleased to be working with a reputable consultancy to recruit a Principal Planner for their Kettering office.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning professional to step into a senior leadership role within a well-established and respected property and planning consultancy. The position offers the chance to lead complex projects, manage client relationships, and support the growth and development of the planning team across a diverse portfolio of rural, residential, and commercial schemes.

The Role

As a Principal Planner, you will take a leading role in delivering high-quality planning services, managing projects from early strategy through to determination and appeal where required. You will act as a senior point of contact for clients and provide commercially focused advice across a range of development proposals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading major planning applications, appeals, and site promotions

• Providing strategic planning advice to landowners, developers, and private clients

• Preparing and reviewing detailed planning statements and technical submissions

• Managing client relationships and acting as a trusted advisor

• Coordinating internal teams and external consultants

• Supporting business development initiatives and identifying new opportunities

• Mentoring and guiding junior planners within the team

• Attending stakeholder meetings, public consultations, and committee hearings

About You

The successful Principal Planner will have:

• MRTPI Chartered status

• Significant experience within consultancy or a comparable planning environment

• Proven track record delivering complex planning projects

• Strong commercial awareness and client management skills

• Excellent written, analytical, and communication abilities

• Experience mentoring or supervising junior team members

Why Apply?

• Senior leadership role within a respected consultancy

• Hybrid working arrangements

• Varied and high-quality project portfolio

• Clear scope for continued progression

• Supportive, collaborative, and professional team culture

For further information on this Principal Planner role in Kettering, please contact Joel Bland at Penguin Recruitment