Job Description:

Associate Director
Location: Manchester
Salary: £70-80,000

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an ambitious and rapidly growing planning and development consultancy with the appointment of an Associate Director to join its expanding team in Manchester.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and commercially minded planning professional to take on a senior leadership role within a people-focused consultancy. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering innovative planning advice and creative solutions across a diverse and high-profile portfolio of projects throughout the UK.

As Associate Director, you will combine technical planning expertise with strong client management, project leadership and business development skills. You will take responsibility for delivering complex projects, developing client relationships, supporting the growth of the business and helping to shape the continued success of the planning team.

Responsibilities:

• Leading and managing a diverse portfolio of planning and development projects from inception through to completion.
• Providing high-quality, strategic and commercially focused planning advice to clients.
• Developing planning strategies for complex and challenging development proposals.
• Conducting detailed research into planning policy, planning history, legislation and development constraints.
• Preparing and overseeing planning appraisals, statements, reports and planning applications.
• Managing and monitoring planning applications proactively through the planning process.
• Leading negotiations and discussions with Local Planning Authorities, clients, consultants and other key stakeholders.
• Taking a leading role on major and complex development projects alongside Directors and senior colleagues.
• Briefing, coordinating and managing external consultants and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Maintaining strong and long-term relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Providing clear project updates, strategic advice and recommendations to clients.
• Identifying potential planning risks and opportunities and developing proactive solutions.
• Ensuring projects are delivered to a high standard, efficiently and within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Supporting the preparation of fee proposals and contributing to the commercial management of projects.
• Playing an active role in business development and identifying opportunities for new work.
• Building professional networks and contributing to the profile and reputation of the consultancy.
• Supporting the strategic growth and development of the planning team.
• Managing, mentoring and supporting junior and mid-level members of the team.
• Contributing to the development of internal processes, best practice and the overall direction of the business.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A relevant degree and ideally a Master's qualification in Town Planning, Geography, Environmental Planning or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within town planning, ideally gained within a planning consultancy or similar professional environment.
• MRTPI status or equivalent Chartered membership of the RTPI.
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system, planning legislation and national and local planning policy.
• Proven experience managing complex planning projects and applications independently.
• Experience providing strategic planning advice to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Strong client relationship management and business development skills.
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage external consultants.
• Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, Local Planning Authorities, planning officers and other stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities for business growth.
• Excellent leadership, project management and organisational skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior colleagues.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be advantageous due to occasional site visits.

On offer:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Option to buy or sell additional annual leave.
• Competitive company bonus scheme.
• Company pension.
• Career break policy.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• A diverse and exciting portfolio of projects across the UK.
• A genuine opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within a growing consultancy.
• Excellent opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.
• The opportunity to develop and strengthen client relationships and business development skills.
• A supportive, collaborative and people-focused working environment.
• The chance to play a key role in the continued growth and success of the consultancy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning professional looking to take the next step into an Associate Director-level position.

You will have the opportunity to take real ownership of projects and client relationships, contribute to the strategic growth of the business and play an influential role in the development of a growing and forward-thinking planning consultancy.

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates as soon as possible. If you meet the above criteria and are interested in finding out more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Sophie Ferguson on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)