At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a planning consultancy, develop client relationships, and shape regional presence.
- Company: Established consultancy with a strong commercial platform and autonomy.
- Benefits: Immediate Partner status, potential equity, competitive package, and career growth.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence and to build a profitable planning offer.
- Why this job: Gain control over your work, clients, and team while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: MRTPI qualified with strong planning consultancy experience and business development skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Northamptonshire
Confidential appointment
Immediate Partner / Equity opportunity for the right individual, or a clearly defined pathway.
Joshua Robert are supporting a confidential appointment for an established consultancy looking to strengthen its planning and development offer across the Midlands. This is aimed at an experienced MRTPI-qualified planning professional who is either already operating at Partner level, or is close to that point but does not yet have the title, influence or reward to match.
The opportunity is straightforward: lead, grow and shape a regional planning consultancy offer with genuine autonomy and a serious commercial platform behind you. For the right person, this can include immediate Partner status and equity participation. If that is not appropriate from day one, there is scope to agree a clear and structured pathway to achieve it.
The Opportunity
This is not a standard Planning Manager role. The client is looking for someone who can take ownership of a planning and development consultancy function, develop client relationships, win instructions and build a stronger regional presence. The role will suit someone who enjoys the commercial side of consultancy as much as the technical side: advising clients, identifying opportunities, building relationships and creating long-term value. There is already a platform to build from, but the successful candidate will have the freedom to shape the direction of the offer and grow it around their own market presence.
Why It Is Worth Considering
This opportunity is likely to appeal if you are asking yourself:
- Am I already operating at this level without the title or reward?
- Is my route to equity clear, or just talked about?
- Am I building value for someone else without a meaningful stake?
- Could I grow something faster with the right backing?
- Do I want more control over the clients, work and team I build?
The client can offer:
- Immediate Partner status for the right person
- Potential equity participation
- A clear route to partnership if not immediate
- Senior-level package shaped around experience and commercial value
- Autonomy to lead and grow a regional planning function
- Existing relationships and workstreams to build from
- Scope to recruit and develop a team around you
- Direct influence in the direction of the business
The Role
The successful candidate will lead the growth of a planning and development consultancy offer across Northamptonshire & the Midlands. The role will involve:
- Developing instructions from landowners, developers, promoters, investors and property clients
- Providing strategic planning advice across residential, commercial, mixed-use and strategic land projects
- Leading on pre-application strategy, planning applications, appeals and post-planning work
- Building and maintaining senior client relationships
- Generating new business through referrals, networks and market activity
- Building a stronger regional profile for the planning offer
- Growing a team as the opportunity develops
- Contributing to the wider commercial direction of the business
The Person
You will need to be MRTPI qualified. You are likely to be operating as a Senior Associate, Associate Director, Director, Salaried Partner or Partner within planning consultancy, development consultancy or a similar advisory environment.
You should bring:
- Strong private sector planning consultancy experience
- Credibility with landowners, developers, agents, local authorities and professional teams
- A track record of developing client relationships
- Commercial judgement and business development ability
- Technical strength across planning strategy, applications, appeals and development advice
- The confidence to represent a consultancy externally
- The ambition to build and grow a profitable planning offer
The key requirement is simple: the client is looking for someone who can create commercial value, not just deliver planning work. For a confidential discussion, please apply or contact Joshua Robert directly.
Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Dartford employer: Joshua Robert
Join a forward-thinking consultancy in Northamptonshire that offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced planning professionals to step into a Partner role with immediate equity potential. With a strong emphasis on autonomy, commercial growth, and the chance to shape the future of the planning consultancy, this role provides a supportive environment where you can build meaningful client relationships and lead a dedicated team. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and rewarded as you drive the business forward.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at events or through LinkedIn. Building relationships can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your expertise! Consider hosting a webinar or writing articles on planning and development topics. This not only showcases your knowledge but also puts you on the radar of potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to companies you admire. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can sometimes open doors that applications can't.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your MRTPI qualifications and any relevant experience in planning consultancy. We want to see how you've led projects, built client relationships, and contributed to business growth.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. We’re looking for someone who can shape our planning consultancy offer, so make it clear how your skills and ambitions align with this role.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through! We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for planning and development. Show us why you’re the right fit for this opportunity.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joshua Robert
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest planning regulations and trends. Brush up on your MRTPI qualifications and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the consultancy's needs. This shows you’re not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable professional who can add real value.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Since this role is all about creating commercial value, prepare examples of how you've successfully developed client relationships and generated new business. Think about specific projects where your strategic advice made a difference and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This position involves leading a team and shaping the consultancy’s direction. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated teams or driven projects forward. Highlight any experience you have in building and developing teams.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the consultancy's future and your potential role in it. Ask about their vision for growth in the Midlands or how they see the planning landscape evolving. This demonstrates your commitment and strategic thinking.
