Associate Director - Town Planning

Job Title: Associate Director - Town Planning
Location: Norwich

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a market-leading, multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in environment-led Planning and Design, as they continue to grow their national Planning team.

About the Company

Our client works on projects at all scales, across urban, semi-rural and rural environments, delivering solutions across a broad range of sectors including residential development, historic sites and estates, renewable energy, infrastructure and mixed-use commercial schemes.

The business has experienced significant growth and now operates from several UK offices, supported by an agile team and a comprehensive, integrated service offering.

Their multidisciplinary expertise includes:

• Planning
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Architecture
• Arboriculture
• Ecology
• Archaeology & Heritage
• Masterplanning
• Landscape Architecture
• Geomatics
• Urban Design

The company is widely recognised for its collaborative, entrepreneurial culture, offering a diverse project portfolio, clear recognition of success and structured professional development. The team is actively involved in delivering some of the largest solar and battery storage schemes in the UK and Europe, alongside a strong pipeline of work across the energy, residential and infrastructure sectors.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the business is committed to supporting individual potential and long-term career progression.

The Role - Associate Director (Planning)

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused, client-facing Planning professional to join the business at Associate Director level. Working closely with the Regional Director of Planning, you will play a key role in supporting the continued growth of the organisation.

With a nationwide team of over 150 professionals, the company is well equipped to deliver projects at any scale. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing opportunities across a variety of sectors, including Residential, Commercial, Assets and Estates, while leading key projects and client relationships.

The Position Will Involve

• Taking the lead on the company's client-centric agenda within the Planning discipline, both internally and externally
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships to generate new opportunities and maximise repeat business
• Demonstrating strong networking and business development capabilities, including building relationships across the industry and with key contacts within Local Planning Authorities
• Identifying growth targets and establishing, consolidating and expanding new and existing client relationships
• Contributing to winning tenders, presentations and final reports for clients
• Using technical expertise to identify and realise client opportunities through both established and innovative approaches
• Negotiating significant fee agreements, including managing contractual and commercial aspects
• Managing complex and high-value projects to a consistently high standard
• Providing technical leadership and playing a key role in projects within your specialist area

Benefits

As a valued employee, you can expect to feel well supported. The business offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Non-contractual growth bonus scheme
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement
• Loyalty leave (up to 5 additional days based on continuous service)
• Hybrid and flexible working environment
• Centrally located offices in London, Cambridge, Norwich and Manchester
• Private Medical Insurance
• Enhanced company pension
• Death in service cover
• Health cash plan
• Protected CPD time (departmental, individual and company-wide)
• Access to an e-learning portal
• Professional body membership contributions
• Clear career progression framework
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts and perks including Amazon Prime, cinema tickets, Apple benefits and coffee rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme, including financial and mental health support

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on (phone number removed) or (url removed)