Principal Planning Consultant/Development Lead

Job Title: Principal Planning Consultant / Development Lead

Location: Kettering

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multi-disciplinary property and land consultancy in the Midlands with the appointment of a Principal Planning Consultant / Development Lead.

This well-established consultancy provides integrated services across planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation, and business consultancy. With a strong regional presence and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary development team, the business combines the breadth of a larger consultancy with the autonomy and close-knit culture of a smaller practice.

Due to strategic growth ambitions within the Kettering office, they are seeking a senior planning professional with a proven track record of driving growth, building teams, and establishing a strong market presence.

The Role - Principal Planning Consultant / Development Lead

This is a senior, client-facing role combining technical delivery, team leadership, and strategic business development. You will act as the internal figurehead for planning and development within the Kettering office and play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the consultancy's regional planning offer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the technical lead and internal authority on planning and development matters
• Deliver planning consultancy across a range of sectors, including strategic and development planning advice
• Coordinate and prepare planning applications, provide expert client advice, and manage post-planning negotiations and appeals
• Demonstrate strong understanding of the full development lifecycle, including technical design, procurement, and construction-phase services
• Lead and coordinate internal and external project teams, managing risk, programmes, and delivery
• Support and mentor junior team members, contributing to capability growth
• Shape operational processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability

Strategic Growth Responsibilities:

• Develop a deep understanding of the consultancy's service offerings and how they integrate to provide a unique client proposition
• Cross-sell services such as land promotion, agency, and valuation
• Drive marketing, business development, and brand awareness across Northamptonshire
• Build and leverage a strong network of developers, landowners, promoters, and agents
• Increase the volume and quality of planning and development instructions
• Identify opportunities to diversify service offerings and target markets

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in planning consultancy and development leadership
• Excellent people management and team-building capabilities
• Strong strategic thinking with attention to detail
• Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving skills
• Resilient, adaptable, and commercially minded
• Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement
• MRTPI (or equivalent relevant qualification)
• Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)

Working Hours:

37.5 hours per week, worked flexibly Monday-Friday in line with an agile working philosophy.

Benefits Package:

• Competitive salary reflective of experience and qualifications
• Professional membership fees paid and funded CPD and training
• Private healthcare scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme, health plan, and annual flu jab
• Agile working with a mix of office and remote work
• 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays), plus:
  • Additional birthday leave
  • Extra holiday for long service
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Enhanced workplace pension
• Access to employee loan and internal service discounts after probation
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Electric Vehicle and Cycle to Work)

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)