Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Guildford

Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Guildford

Guildford Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Joshua Robert

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 to build and lead a team while influencing business direction.
  • Why this job: Take ownership of your career and make a real impact in planning consultancy.
  • Qualifications: MRTPI qualified with strong private sector 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 Guildford 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 consultancy, this position is ideal for those looking to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and client relationship building.

Joshua Robert

Contact Details:

Joshua Robert Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Guildford

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at events or online. Building relationships can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Consider hosting a webinar or writing articles related to planning and development. This not only showcases your knowledge but also puts you on the radar of potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply, engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out directly to the hiring manager or team. A personal touch can make all the difference in standing out from the crowd.

Tip Number 4

Keep an eye on our website for openings! We regularly update our listings, and applying through us gives you a better chance to showcase your fit for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Guildford

MRTPI Qualification
Client Relationship Development
Strategic Planning Advice
Pre-Application Strategy
Planning Applications
Appeals Management
Business Development

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. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and efficiently, helping us connect with you sooner!

How to prepare for a job interview at Joshua Robert

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your MRTPI qualifications and relevant planning legislation. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading planning projects and how you've developed client relationships in the past. This role is all about creating commercial value, so be prepared to showcase your technical strengths and business acumen.

Showcase Your Vision

This isn't just about fitting into a role; it's about shaping the future of the consultancy. Think about how you would grow the planning function and what strategies you would implement. Be ready to share your ideas on building a stronger regional presence and how you can leverage existing relationships to generate new business.

Demonstrate Your Commercial Savvy

Since the client is looking for someone who enjoys the commercial side of consultancy, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully identified opportunities and built long-term value. Discuss any previous experiences where you've had to make strategic decisions that positively impacted the business.

Ask Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their vision for the planning consultancy and how they see the successful candidate contributing to that vision. This will not only demonstrate your enthusiasm but also help you gauge if this opportunity aligns with your career goals.