Head of Planning - South West

We’re looking for a forward-thinking, innovative Head of Planning South West to join us and lead the charge in driving the growth of our Planning & Development division in this exciting, high-potential region. You’ll lead a small, established team of planning professionals while playing a key role in securing new clients and nurturing long-term relationships. Your experience in managing diverse planning matters and delivering successful outcomes will be critical to driving the team’s performance and supporting the wider business goals.

Nestled in the heart of the eclectic city of Bristol, our office on Clifton Triangle serves as a dynamic regional hub, home to over 50 professionals bringing together Planning & Development, Rural, Commercial, and Infrastructure sectors. This is a unique opportunity to take on a leadership role in one of the most vibrant and exciting planning communities in the UK. If you’re ready to make an impact in one of the country’s most dynamic cities, we want to hear from you.

• Provide expert planning and development advice to both internal and external clients on a variety of high-impact projects and planning matters.
• Lead negotiations with local authorities and statutory bodies to promote sites, secure planning permissions, and solve complex issues.
• Take the lead on preparing written representations, and actively participate in informal hearings, public inquiries, and examination hearings.
• Oversee and mentor junior team members, ensuring their work is delivered to the highest standards while fostering their development.
• Play a key role in promoting and growing the Planning & Development Division—you’ll be crucial in making Carter Jonas a go-to name for top-tier planning advice.
• Identify new business opportunities and develop strategic initiatives to expand the team’s portfolio, while integrating Carter Jonas’ other services.

You will have a wealth of experience as an MRTPI or MRICS Planning professional with a track record of working within a planning consultancy (or similar). You will have deep knowledge of Bristol and South West property markets, with success in developing client relationships as well as identifying new opportunities to grow business. You will be able to lead efficiently, supporting and guiding teams with a passion for mentoring as well as working collaboratively internally across multiple teams/divisions. It will be key that this individual can manage multiple projects and priorities as well as continuing to deliver business goals. Travel will be expected and therefore a full driving licence is required.

We offer a highly competitive rewards package including group pension, flexible benefits, referral schemes and generous annual leave. As an equal opportunity employer, with the Investors in People Gold accreditation, we are dedicated to driving diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Learning and development is important to us; we encourage everyone to continue developing to optimise their performance and fulfil their potential. We have an agile flexible working policy; many of our team work flexibly, we would be happy to talk to you about how this could work for you. We enjoy what we do, and we do it well, which is why 80% of our business comes from repeat clients.

Since 1855, Carter Jonas has grown to be one of the largest and most respected property consultancies in the UK with a network of 34 offices across England and Wales, employing more than 1,000 partners and employees. Our tailored service and Simply Better Advice have enabled us to forge lasting, intelligent and trusting partnerships with our clients. These long-standing relationships are our most important and most closely protected asset. From private landowners to local authorities, pension funds to farmers – our universe of client experience is among the most varied in UK property. We employ the very best people. We are a place where people want to work, and our culture is both collaborative and business-minded. We have experts in every field who deliver long-term advice that enhances our clients’ future prosperity. Ahead of the curve, we are pioneering in the use of technology within the property industry, making Carter Jonas a hugely exciting place to work.

• Approachable – We treat every relationship with respect, integrity, and warmth
• Effective – We do what we say we will, we do it well and we are accountable
• Ambitious – We are ambitious for our clients and for our firm

We look to recruit individuals who represent our core values, but who can also demonstrate the six Carter Jonas competencies that are the foundation of our career pathways. These competencies will aid their personal development in the business, and comprise of:

• Communication - Ensures effective, clear, and relevant communications in support of business objectives
• People - Demonstrates leadership in conduct and effectively manages and develops people to optimise performance through others
• Business Development & Client Care - Ensures effective communication to facilitate excellent client care and collaboration and pursuing opportunities for increased business and profit mindful of the Firm’s heritage and values
• Use of Technology - Modern, Agile, Digital
• Employee Teamwork - Recognises the importance of working with others, to collaborate and co-operate to achieve business
• Personal Effectiveness & Productivity- Engage, promote, and adhere to compliance requirements including all internal processes and procedures which manage risk and enhance productivity.