Senior Planning Manager

Senior Planning Manager

Maidenhead Full-Time 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Berkeley Group Plc

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic land promotion and manage planning applications for exciting large-scale projects.
  • Company: Join Berkeley Strategic Land, a dynamic subsidiary of The Berkeley Group.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25-33 days annual leave, health benefits, and lifestyle perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in land development while working with a collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in strategic land promotion and strong project management skills required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

Application Deadline: 28 November 2025

Location: Taplow, Buckinghamshire

Berkeley Strategic Land is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Berkeley Group. Leveraging Berkeley's financial strength and regeneration expertise, Berkeley Strategic Land identifies and secures long‐term strategic sites for future development. Working collaboratively with local authorities and stakeholders, it promotes land through the Local Plan process and seeks planning consent for delivery by Berkeley.

With the backing of The Berkeley Group, the team applies a flexible and innovative approach to land acquisition, employing option agreements, freehold purchases, and other structures that align with the interests of landowners. Based at Berkeley's Oxford and Chiltern regional head office in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, the role involves regular travel throughout the South East.

The role involves working as part of an ambitious and dynamic multi‐disciplinary team, seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Planning Manager to play a key role in leading the promotion of our extensive strategic land portfolio. The successful candidate will manage the promotion of strategic land opportunities through the development plan process and the preparation and determination of planning applications and appeals. This position offers the opportunity to work on an exciting portfolio of large‐scale projects from inception through to allocation and consent.

Duties:

  • Managing the promotion of sites for allocation in local plans and neighbourhood plans, including the preparation and submission of technical evidence, masterplans and representations, and participation in examinations.
  • Preparing, submitting and managing planning applications and appeals, including overseeing technical inputs, design proposals, and EIA processes where necessary.
  • Negotiation of planning agreements and conditions.
  • Instructing and managing external planning consultants, architects, technical teams, and legal advisers in accordance with agreed budgets and strategies.
  • Providing planning advice on existing and new land acquisitions.
  • Building and maintaining effective working relationships with local authority officers and Members, stakeholders, landowners, agents, internal teams and Berkeley operating businesses.

Experience Required:

  • Experience working for a housebuilder, land promoter or planning consultancy with significant experience of strategic land promotion.
  • Member of the RTPI or RICS (Planning and Development).
  • Proven track record of managing complex planning projects and securing allocations and planning consents.
  • Commercial awareness and ability to assess development potential and planning risk.
  • Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and the plan‐making process.
  • Excellent project management, analytical, and problem‐solving skills.
  • Confident communicator with strong negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Capable of working independently and collaboratively in a fast‐paced environment.
  • Ability to build positive relationships with local authorities, stakeholders, landowners and their representatives.
  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the South East region.

Why join us?

  • 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to 33 days.
  • Health and wellbeing benefits including Private Medical Insurance.
  • Lifestyle benefits including access to an online discount platform.
  • Berkeley Foundation volunteer day.
  • Private pension plan.
  • Group life assurance.
  • The standard full‐time working hours in the office are 8am‐5pm with core working hours 9am‐4pm.

Internal Applicants: If you're an internal applicant, please ensure you've informed your line manager of your intention to apply for this position.

Senior Planning Manager employer: Berkeley Group Plc

Berkeley Strategic Land is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, the company provides generous annual leave, private medical insurance, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team. Join us to be part of exciting large-scale projects that make a real impact in the community while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
Berkeley Group Plc

Contact Detail:

Berkeley Group Plc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, attend local planning events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their strategic land portfolio and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence before the real deal.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Berkeley Strategic Land.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Manager

Strategic Land Promotion
Planning Applications Management
Technical Evidence Preparation
Negotiation Skills
Project Management
Knowledge of Planning Legislation
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Relationship Building
Commercial Awareness
Team Collaboration
Experience with EIA Processes
Understanding of Local Plans

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in strategic land promotion and project management to show us you’re the right fit for the Senior Planning Manager role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about planning and how your background aligns with our mission at Berkeley Strategic Land. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Senior Planning Manager, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to build relationships and negotiate effectively. We want to see examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Berkeley Group Plc

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning legislation and the local plan process. Familiarise yourself with recent projects by Berkeley Strategic Land and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their strategic goals.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage complex planning projects. Highlight your successes in securing allocations and consents, as well as your experience working with local authorities and stakeholders.

✨Practice Your Negotiation Skills

Since negotiation is key in this role, think of scenarios where you've successfully negotiated planning agreements or conditions. Be ready to discuss your approach and how you build relationships with various parties involved in the planning process.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current projects and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their success as a Senior Planning Manager.

Senior Planning Manager
Berkeley Group Plc
Location: Maidenhead

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