Planning Associate Director

We are an award-winning global consultancy and have been named Building's Engineering Consultant of the Year in 2024, 2022 and 2021. We are at the forefront of the industry, priding ourselves on our exemplary track record of designing innovative and sustainable projects. Sustainability runs through everything we do at Cundall, and our people are empowered to drive change and decarbonise the built environment. By the end of this decade, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal to only work on projects that meet our zero carbon design criteria, a commitment we have called our Zero Carbon Design 2030 goal. We need people who share this passion for sustainability and thrive in designing energy efficient buildings and communities.

Cundall's Planning team pride ourselves on our exemplary track record of providing first-class planning and environmental input on a wide variety of building projects throughout the UK. Our clients include private developers, house builders, housing associations, local authorities and education providers. We offer a pro-active and collaborative approach to skill development, and professional excellence. Indeed, Cundall has been accredited as an RTPI Learning partner for a number of years.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, tenacious and client focused Planner to join our UK team, to play the leading role in the strategic development of Cundall's Town and Environmental Planning activities. This person will manage the successful delivery of innovative planning solutions to some of the most prestigious and technically challenging built environment design projects across the UK. They will also have the opportunity to develop a team around them and help grow this important specialism within the overall practice.

The role would suit someone who is already working at Associate / Associate Director but looking for more freedom to grow their own team within the supportive environment of a major multi-disciplinary consultancy. This is a part of our commitment to growing a strong environmental and town planning advice service throughout the UK. While Newcastle would be the preferred location, the role could be undertaken from any of our UK offices – Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh.

Working across a variety of key sectors including education, residential, commercial, healthcare and retail, you will prepare planning appraisals of land, buildings and concepts, developing original and creative solutions that surpass client requirements. Working closely with colleagues of various engineering disciplines to manage the delivery of technically excellent, profitable projects, you will take the lead on planning, regeneration and master planning commissions, while also developing new and nurturing existing outstanding client relationships that maximise customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Using your wealth of expertise, and your proven ability to manage, motivate and inspire less experienced consultants, you will in time grow and develop a strong team of highly skilled Planners to support and sustain Cundall's growing workload and reputation.

The Skills

A highly experienced planner / surveyor with a strong grasp of statutory planning policy, procedures and requirements, and must be qualified to MRTPI, MRICS or equivalent level. You will have developed a significant portfolio of relevant technical and leadership experience within a consultancy or public sector environment. In your most recent position, you will have established your excellent reputation as a commercially aware leader in environmental and town planning and have consistently demonstrated your ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and teams to deliver and exceed client expectations.

You will be expected to contribute to wider corporate initiatives across the UK from a planning perspective and be committed to technical excellence and net zero approaches to development. Given the collaborative and client focussed nature of this role, excellent communication and project management skills are essential.

We know that to be the best at what we do we need a diverse workforce underpinned by an inclusive culture. Creating environments where everyone can find joy doing their best work is also great for everyone. That’s why we positively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage, support, and celebrate the diverse voices of our people.