At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning consultancy services and drive growth in Northamptonshire.
- Company: Join a leading multidisciplinary land and property consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, 35 days holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in planning while mentoring junior team members and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: MRTPI qualified with proven experience in planning consultancy and business development.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Location: Northampton
About the Company
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multidisciplinary land and property consultancy with offices across the Midlands. The business delivers a wide range of services including planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation, and business consultancy, helping clients maximise the value and potential of their assets. You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary development team made up of planners, engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, and architects. The organisation offers the ideal balance between scale and agility - large enough to deliver diverse, high-quality projects, yet small enough to provide autonomy, visibility, and genuine cross-disciplinary collaboration. Due to strategic growth within the Kettering office, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Planning Consultant to help establish and expand the planning and development presence across Northamptonshire.
The Role
This is a senior-level position combining strategic leadership, business development, and hands-on planning consultancy delivery. You will act as a key figure within the Kettering office, driving growth, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing market presence.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical & Delivery
- Act as the lead planning expert within the Kettering office
- Deliver planning consultancy services across a variety of sectors
- Provide both general and strategic planning advice to clients
- Coordinate and prepare planning applications with internal teams
- Manage post-planning negotiations, appeals, and related processes
- Oversee development lifecycle stages including technical design, procurement, and construction-phase input
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams, managing delivery, risk, and programme performance
- Support and mentor junior team members to develop technical capability
- Strategic & Business Development
- Drive growth of the planning and development offer across Northamptonshire
- Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, landowners, promoters, and agents
- Cross-sell complementary services including land promotion, valuation, and agency work
- Increase brand awareness and generate new instructions
- Identify opportunities to diversify services and expand into new markets
- Improve operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability
- Strengthen integration across the wider service offering
About You
We are seeking an experienced planning professional with strong leadership and commercial capability.
Essential Requirements
- MRTPI qualified (or equivalent)
- Proven experience in planning consultancy and development-led work
- Track record of business development, networking, or team growth
- Strong understanding of the full development process
- Experience in post-planning, technical design, and project delivery
- Excellent project management and coordination skills
- Full UK driving licence
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail
- Confident decision-maker and problem solver
- Strong communicator and relationship builder
- Commercially aware and growth-focused
- Resilient, adaptable, and proactive
- Passion for innovation and continuous improvement
Benefits
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
- Private healthcare (BUPA)
- 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Additional birthday day off
- Extra holiday for long service
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Enhanced pension scheme (NEST)
- Professional membership fees paid + CPD support
- Employee Assistance Programme + health plan + flu jab
- Agile and flexible working culture
- EV and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes
Interested? The hiring manager is looking to meet suitable candidates ASAP. If you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on or email.
Principal Town Planner in Northampton employer: Penguin Recruitment Ltd
Penguin Recruitment is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in Northampton. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive benefits including private healthcare, generous holiday allowances, and professional development support, all while fostering a culture of innovation and flexibility. Join a multidisciplinary team where your contributions will be valued, and you can make a meaningful impact on diverse planning projects across the region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Town Planner in Northampton
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend local planning events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or at networking events, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in planning consultancy. Share specific examples of projects you've led or challenges you've overcome to demonstrate your value.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Before any meeting or interview, do your homework! Research the company and its recent projects, and think about how your skills can help them grow. Tailoring your pitch shows that you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through our site not only streamlines the process but also shows your enthusiasm for joining our team. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Town Planner in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Town Planner role. Highlight your MRTPI qualifications and relevant experience in planning consultancy. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your leadership skills and business development experience. Let us know why you're passionate about planning and how you can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Projects:Include examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your project management and coordination skills. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges and delivered results in previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your planning knowledge and the specific projects the company has worked on. Familiarise yourself with local planning policies in Northamptonshire, as well as any recent developments in the area. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also invested in the community.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Town Planner, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about times when you’ve mentored junior staff or driven business development initiatives, as these experiences will be key to impressing the interviewers.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves building and maintaining relationships with clients, come prepared with strategies on how you would approach networking and client engagement. Share any past experiences where you’ve successfully developed client relationships or expanded service offerings, as this will highlight your commercial awareness.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers. Inquire about the company's future projects, their approach to cross-disciplinary collaboration, or how they measure success in their planning consultancy services. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
