Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading, multi-disciplinary property consultancy in its search for an Associate to join its established planning team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and commercially minded planning professional to take on a key leadership role, manage a varied portfolio of projects and contribute to the continued growth of a successful consultancy. With a collaborative culture, access to multidisciplinary expertise and a strong focus on professional development, this position offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact on both clients and the wider business.

The Role

As an Associate, you will take responsibility for managing planning projects from inception through to completion, delivering high-quality advice while supporting senior leadership, developing client relationships and helping drive business growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied portfolio of planning projects, ensuring client requirements, deadlines and quality standards are consistently met.
• Overseeing day-to-day project delivery, including project planning, progress reviews, work in progress, invoicing and debt management.
• Preparing project plans, fee agreements and professional planning reports, maintaining high standards of quality assurance.
• Providing commercially focused planning advice and maintaining strong technical knowledge of planning policy, legislation and procedures.
• Building and maintaining client relationships, acting as a trusted point of contact throughout project delivery.
• Representing clients at public meetings and communicating planning proposals confidently to stakeholders.
• Supporting business development, marketing and work-winning initiatives to generate new opportunities.
• Working closely with Partners and colleagues across the business to support the development of the wider planning team.
• Supervising and mentoring junior team members, including supporting training, CPD, performance and professional development.
• Managing project resources effectively and ensuring the quality of advice and service meets client expectations.
• Maintaining your professional knowledge through ongoing training and continuing professional development.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Strong experience within town planning consultancy or a similar professional planning environment.
• Excellent technical knowledge of the UK planning system, legislation and development management.
• A commercially minded and entrepreneurial approach, with an interest in business development and work winning.
• A proven ability to build, maintain and develop strong client relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional report writing and presenting planning advice.
• Experience managing projects, prioritising workloads and delivering to deadlines and budgets.
• Leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to mentor and support junior colleagues.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, alongside a proactive and collaborative approach.
• The ambition to contribute to business growth and progress towards more senior leadership responsibilities.

What's on Offer?

The successful candidate will benefit from a comprehensive employment package, including:

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• 32 days' annual leave, excluding bank holidays, including a dedicated wellbeing day and your birthday.
• Private healthcare.
• Medicash cashback scheme.
• 50% contribution towards gym membership.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Support for RTPI professional membership.
• A structured continuing professional development programme.
• Clear opportunities for career development and promotion.
• Access to multidisciplinary expertise across the business.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Career Progression

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional looking to strengthen their leadership experience and take greater ownership of projects, client relationships and commercial performance.

As an Associate, you will have the opportunity to influence project strategy, contribute to business development and help shape the development of the wider team. You will also benefit from a high degree of autonomy, exposure to significant projects across the UK and the opportunity to progress towards more senior leadership positions.

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on 01792 362 010 or josh.jones@penguinrecruitment.co.uk