Planning Manager

The Planning Manager will work within the London team focused on delivery of the company’s strategic land portfolio. The Senior Planning Manager will be the planning lead for individual sites and be responsible for managing all day to day workstreams required in promoting a site through the Local Plan and/or the progression of a planning application, working alongside the Land, Technical and regional teams. The Senior Planning Manager will be required to support the acquisition of new sites through site appraisal and supporting bid submissions. Whilst the role is predominately focused on strategic planning for the group's housebuilding businesses, the London team is also responsible for all existing assets which include brownfield sites. Experience across a range of planning would therefore be welcomed. This role is based from our London office and we can offer hybrid working with this role.

What you will do

• Planning Strategy & Site Promotion: Develop and deliver planning strategies for short-, medium-, and long-term land opportunities. Coordinate planning appraisals for potential sites, identifying opportunities, risks, and constraints. Promote strategic land through the Local Plan process, including where necessary preparing representations and monitoring plan-making progress. Work with the internal team and external consultants to coordinate planning statements, environmental reports, and supporting documents.
• Managing Planning Applications: Alongside the internal team and external consultants be responsible for the preparation, submission and negotiation of planning applications. Coordinate the evolution of schemes, ensuring alignment with national and local planning policy and any specific Local Authority requirements. Alongside the internal team, manage third-party technical inputs including highways, ecology, drainage, landscape, heritage, and environmental assessments. Ensure applications are supported by robust evidence and meet policy requirements whilst protecting commercial viability.
• Stakeholder & Local Authority Engagement: Build strong working relationships with Local Planning Authorities, Parish Councils, statutory consultees, and community groups. Lead pre-application discussions and consultations. Present proposals at planning committees, public exhibitions, and community engagement events. Act as the key planning contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Internal Collaboration & Project Support: Work alongside Land teams to advise on planning risk, deliverability, and strategy for land bids. Support technical design teams by ensuring design approach and technical reports meet planning requirements. Administrative project management including ensuring consultants are appropriately appointed, budget monitoring and reporting to landowners as appropriate.
• Compliance, Reporting & Governance: Maintain an up-to-date understanding of national and local planning policy and legislation. Prepare and present planning reports, risk assessments, and board papers to support decision making. Manage external consultants, ensuring delivery on time and within agreed budgets.

What you will have

• Proven experience in planning within residential development, either in-house with a developer/housebuilder or at a planning consultancy.
• Strong understanding of national planning policy and the Local Plan process.
• Track record of securing residential allocations and/or planning permissions, negotiating S106 agreements, and working with Local Authorities.
• Experience managing planning applications from feasibility through to consent.
• Knowledge of technical disciplines that influence planning outcomes (highways, drainage, ecology, heritage, landscape, etc.).
• MRTPI qualified (or eligible for full membership).
• A Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or similar discipline.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive basic salary based on experience.
• Discretionary Bonus.
• Private medical insurance.
• X3 life assurance.
• Time for You: 25 Days holiday, plus bank holidays plus the option to buy 5 more!
• Well-being Support: Access to 24‑hour Health Hero, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and the Health Assured Wisdom App.
• Lifestyle Perks: Cycle‑to‑work scheme and flexible benefits like gym membership discounts and shopping vouchers.
• Future‑focused: Employer‑matched pension scheme (up to 5%) and career development opportunities within a growing company.

Important Note: Dandara ONLY accepts direct applications. Any CVs received from recruitment agencies will be considered a free gift. Our Head of Recruitment, Ross Davies will be happy to talk directly to potential candidates so reach out to him directly on LinkedIn.