Principal Town Planner - #2178535

Job Description: Principal Town Planner

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Working Pattern: Hybrid working available

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Principal Town Planner to join our team in Leeds. This is an exciting opportunity for an established planning professional to lead complex planning projects, manage key client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of our planning business across Yorkshire and the wider UK.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience of the UK planning system, a strong track record of delivering successful planning outcomes and the confidence to lead multidisciplinary project teams. You will take responsibility for a diverse portfolio of projects, provide strategic planning advice to clients and play an important role in developing business opportunities and mentoring colleagues.

This position would suit a proactive planning professional looking to take on a leadership role within a consultancy, property development business or multidisciplinary organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Project Leadership

• Lead the delivery of complex planning projects across residential, commercial, mixed-use, regeneration and strategic land developments.
• Oversee the preparation, submission and management of planning applications, including outline, full, reserved matters and major development proposals.
• Provide strategic planning advice, development appraisals and planning policy assessments to identify opportunities, risks and project constraints.
• Lead planning negotiations with local planning authorities, including Leeds City Council and other authorities across Yorkshire.
• Manage planning appeals, representations, hearings and public inquiries where required.
• Interpret national and local planning policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework and relevant development plans, to inform project strategy.
• Identify potential planning risks and develop effective strategies to secure positive planning outcomes.
• Ensure projects are delivered to agreed programmes, budgets and quality standards.

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key point of contact for clients, developers, landowners and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships through the delivery of commercially focused planning advice.
• Lead client meetings, stakeholder consultations and negotiations with planning officers, elected members and statutory consultees.
• Prepare and present planning strategies, reports and recommendations to senior clients and project teams.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including architects, transport consultants, environmental specialists and other technical advisers.

Business Development and Commercial Management

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across the Leeds and wider Yorkshire property and development markets.
• Prepare fee proposals, tender submissions and project scopes.
• Manage project budgets, fee forecasts and resource allocation.
• Contribute to business planning, market development and the expansion of the planning team's client base.
• Maintain an awareness of market trends, development activity and emerging planning opportunities across the region.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to senior, intermediate and graduate planners.
• Review planning reports, applications and technical advice to ensure consistently high standards.
• Support professional development, knowledge sharing and best practice within the team.
• Contribute to recruitment, performance development and the wider strategic direction of the planning function.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning, Spatial Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Significant experience in town planning, including responsibility for complex planning applications and projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, national policy and local development plan processes.
• Proven experience managing planning projects independently and advising clients on planning strategy.
• Demonstrable experience negotiating with local planning authorities and resolving complex planning issues.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing project budgets, programmes and client expectations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of high-quality planning statements, reports and professional advice.
• Experience leading project teams and supporting the development of junior colleagues.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience within a private planning consultancy, property developer, housebuilder or multidisciplinary property business.
• Knowledge of the Leeds and West Yorkshire development market and planning policy environment.
• Experience in strategic land promotion, major residential development, urban regeneration or large-scale mixed-use schemes.
• Experience managing planning appeals, public inquiries and complex stakeholder negotiations.
• A track record of winning new work, developing client relationships and contributing to business growth.
• Experience contributing to team leadership and operational planning.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement.
• Confident decision-maker who can manage complex projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Proactive, solutions-focused and committed to achieving successful planning outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop colleagues.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity and technical quality.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to lead high-profile development projects across Leeds and Yorkshire.
• A varied portfolio of strategic and complex planning work.
• Career progression and opportunities to influence business strategy.
• Support for continuing professional development and professional memberships.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to business requirements.
• A collaborative working environment with opportunities to develop client relationships and grow a professional team.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Chartered Town Planner looking to take the next step in your career, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your planning experience, leadership capabilities, key project achievements and suitability for the role.