Associate Director
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits
Are you an experienced Associate Director seeking a fresh challenge, or a Senior Planner ready to take the next step into a leadership role?
We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Associate Director to join our growing planning consultancy. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality planning advice and successfully guiding development projects from concept through to implementation, we offer an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future growth of both our clients and the business.
This position would suit a Chartered Town Planner with substantial experience gained in either the public or private sector, who is looking to combine technical excellence with client relationship management, team leadership and business development responsibilities.
The Role
As an Associate Director, you will:
- Advise a diverse client base including housebuilders, land promoters, developers and commercial businesses.
- Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients and professional contacts.
- Develop and implement planning strategies to support successful project delivery.
- Prepare and oversee high-quality planning reports, appraisals and written advice.
- Undertake planning research, due diligence and site assessments.
- Manage planning applications and appeals through the full development process.
- Liaise and negotiate with local authorities, consultees and key stakeholders.
- Lead and participate in community consultation and engagement events.
- Manage projects efficiently, ensuring high standards of service and delivery.
- Support and mentor planners, assistant planners and graduate planners, helping to develop talent within the team.
- Contribute to the growth of the business by identifying and developing new opportunities, with support from the wider leadership team.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- MRTPI status and a strong professional track record.
- Typically seven or more years of post-qualification planning experience (although applications from exceptional candidates with different levels of experience are welcomed).
- Experience gained within the public and/or private planning sector.
- Strong technical planning expertise across a variety of development types.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of client objectives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The confidence and judgement to provide clear, practical and commercially focused advice.
- Strong project management and organisational abilities.
- Experience managing client relationships and leading projects.
- A collaborative leadership style with a genuine interest in supporting and developing colleagues.
- Good IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and web-based systems.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach and commitment to continuous professional development.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) experience.
- Urban Design qualifications or experience.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary
- Performance-related bonus potential
- Workplace pension scheme
- Flexible working arrangements
- Gym membership
- Ongoing CPD and professional development support
- Regular social and family-friendly events
This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected consultancy where you can take a leading role in delivering successful planning outcomes, helping to grow the business, and mentoring the next generation of planning professionals.
If interested, feel free to get in touch for a confidential chat.
[email protected] | 01792 677 005
