At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a planning consultancy, develop client relationships, and generate new business.
- Company: Established consultancy with a strong regional presence in Northamptonshire.
- Benefits: Immediate Partner status, equity participation, and senior-level package tailored to experience.
- Other info: Autonomy to build a team and influence the business's commercial direction.
- Why this job: Shape your own consultancy direction and make a real impact in the planning sector.
- Qualifications: MRTPI qualified with strong private sector planning consultancy experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 Portsmouth 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 your expertise can flourish. Enjoy a collaborative work culture that values innovation and offers clear pathways for professional development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Portsmouth
✨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 on planning and development topics. This not only showcases your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out directly to companies you admire. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can open doors, especially if you highlight how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a range of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Partner - Planning & Development Consultancy in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in planning consultancy. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your MRTPI qualifications and any relevant achievements.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:Since this role is all about creating commercial value, we recommend you emphasise your business development experience. Share examples of how you've built client relationships and generated new business in your previous roles.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can lead and grow a team, so showing your passion for planning and development will help us see if you’re the right fit for our culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our team!
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 share specific examples of how you've done that.
✨Show Your Commercial Side
This isn't just about technical skills; it's also about business development. Think about how you've generated new business or built a stronger regional presence in your previous roles. Be ready to discuss your strategies for winning instructions and how you can apply them to this consultancy.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team and shaping the direction of the consultancy, highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams, mentored colleagues, or taken ownership of projects. Show that you have the ambition and confidence to grow a profitable planning offer.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the consultancy's current projects, their vision for growth, and how they see the role evolving. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your understanding of the market and the challenges they face.
