At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a Planning & Development function, shaping strategy and building a high-performing team.
- Company: Well-established multi-disciplinary consultancy with a focus on planning and development.
- Benefits: £100k salary, performance-related bonus, hybrid working, and significant autonomy.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term progression and influence within the company.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by establishing a key division and driving growth in planning services.
- Qualifications: MRTPI qualified with experience at Director level in consultancy or development.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 € per year.
This is a rare Director-level opportunity to establish, lead, and scale a Planning & Development function from the ground up within a well-established, multi-disciplinary consultancy. The successful candidate will take full responsibility for creating a high-performing planning division, shaping its strategy, defining its service offering, and building a team capable of delivering complex planning advice across rural, residential, and strategic land projects. This is a practice-building leadership role with full autonomy, reporting directly into the senior leadership team.
Company:
- Building and leading a Planning & Development team across multiple offices
- Defining the structure, capability, and commercial direction of the planning function
- Developing and executing a growth strategy for planning services
- Acting as lead advisor on major planning applications, appeals, and strategic land promotion
- Driving new business development and expanding client relationships
- Working closely with land, agency, valuation, and rural consultancy teams to unlock cross-service opportunities
- Representing the planning function at board and senior leadership level
- Establishing the division as a key revenue and influence driver within the business
The Candidate:
- MRTPI qualified (or equivalent senior professional accreditation)
- Operating at Director or Associate Director level within consultancy or development
- Experienced in residential, rural, or strategic land planning
- Proven in managing complex planning projects, including appeals and Local Plan work
- Comfortable leading client relationships at a senior level
- Experienced in mentoring or leading teams, with ambition to build something larger
- Strong in business development, with a track record of generating or influencing revenue
- Have helped grow or shape a planning team or service line
- Want autonomy and influence rather than corporate constraint
- Have a strong network across landowners, developers, or rural clients
- Are commercially minded and motivated by building something long-term
- Understand the intersection of planning, land value, and development strategy
Package:
- Salary £100k DOE
- Performance-related bonus linked to growth and team performance
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- Significant autonomy and board-level exposure
- Clear long-term progression opportunity, including potential for enhanced senior leadership or equity-style participation depending on impact and growth
Candidate Requirements:
All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.
Head of Planning - Director employer: Agricultural Recruitment Specialists
Join a dynamic and well-established multi-disciplinary consultancy as the Head of Planning, where you will have the unique opportunity to build and lead a high-performing planning division from the ground up. With a competitive salary of £100k DOE, performance-related bonuses, and a culture that promotes autonomy and flexibility, this role offers significant career progression and the chance to influence strategic decisions at the board level. Embrace a collaborative work environment that values innovation and encourages professional growth, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the North of England.
Contact Detail:
Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning - Director
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in planning. Share specific examples of projects you've led or challenges you've overcome. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Research the company, understand their values, and think about how your skills align with their needs. We recommend practising common interview questions and preparing some thoughtful questions to ask them too. It shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us can give you an edge, as we love seeing candidates who are proactive. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications this way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning - Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Planning role. Highlight your experience in leading planning teams and managing complex projects, as well as any relevant qualifications like MRTPI. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this Director-level position. Share your vision for building a high-performing planning division and how you plan to drive new business development. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves building and leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored others or led successful projects in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and grow a team, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Agricultural Recruitment Specialists
✨Know Your Planning Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and challenges in planning, especially in residential, rural, and strategic land projects. Brush up on relevant legislation and case studies that showcase your expertise, as this will help you demonstrate your capability to lead a high-performing planning division.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and building teams, as this role requires someone who can inspire and develop others. Be ready to discuss your vision for establishing a planning function and how you plan to motivate your future team.
✨Demonstrate Business Development Acumen
Since this role involves driving new business development, come prepared with ideas on how you would expand client relationships and generate revenue. Share specific examples of how you've influenced growth in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your network across landowners and developers.
✨Align with Company Values and Vision
Research the consultancy’s mission and values, and think about how your personal goals align with theirs. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for building something long-term and your desire for autonomy in shaping the planning function. This will show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a partnership in growth.
