Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning consultancy projects and mentor junior team members in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading multi-disciplinary property consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Shape the future of planning and development while driving strategic growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in planning consultancy and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Great opportunities for professional development and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Qualifications, skills, and all relevant experience needed for this role can be found in the full description below.
Location: Kettering
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multi-disciplinary property and land consultancy in the Midlands with the appointment of a Principal Planning Consultant / Development Lead. This well-established consultancy provides integrated services across planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation, and business consultancy. With a strong regional presence and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary development team, the business combines the breadth of a larger consultancy with the autonomy and close-knit culture of a smaller practice.
Due to strategic growth ambitions within the Kettering office, they are seeking a senior planning professional with a proven track record of driving growth, building teams, and establishing a strong market presence.
The Role - Principal Planning Consultant / Development Lead
This is a senior, client-facing role combining technical delivery, team leadership, and strategic business development. You will act as the internal figurehead for planning and development within the Kettering office and play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the consultancy's regional planning offer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the technical lead and internal authority on planning and development matters
- Deliver planning consultancy across a range of sectors, including strategic and development planning advice
- Coordinate and prepare planning applications, provide expert client advice, and manage post-planning negotiations and appeals
- Demonstrate strong understanding of the full development lifecycle, including technical design, procurement, and construction-phase services
- Lead and coordinate internal and external project teams, managing risk, programmes, and delivery
- Support and mentor junior team members, contributing to capability growth
- Shape operational processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability
Strategic Growth Responsibilities:
- Develop a deep understanding of the consultancy's service offerings and how they integrate to provide a unique client proposition
- Cross-sell services such as land promotion, agency, and valuation
- Drive marketing, business development, and brand awareness across Northamptonshire
- Build and leverage a strong network of developers, landowners, promoters, and agents
- Increase the volume and quality of planning and development instructions
- Identify opportunities to diversify service offerings and target markets
Person Specification:
- Proven experience in planning consultancy and development leadership
- Excellent people management and team-building capabilities
- Strong strategic thinking with attention to detail
- Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving skills
- Resilient, adaptable, and commercially minded
- Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement
- MRTPI (or equivalent relevant qualification)
- Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, worked flexibly Monday-Friday in line with an agile working philosophy.
Benefits Package:
- Competitive salary reflective of experience and qualifications
- Professional membership fees paid and funded CPD and training
- Private healthcare scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme, health plan, and annual flu jab
- Agile working with a mix of office and remote work
- 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays), plus additional birthday leave
- Extra holiday for long service
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Enhanced workplace pension
- Access to employee loan and internal service discounts after probation
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Electric Vehicle and Cycle to Work)
Interested? The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones.
Principal Planning Consultant/Development Lead in Northampton employer: Penguin Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Penguin Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planning Consultant/Development Lead in Northampton
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in planning consultancy. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and led teams – this is your time to shine!
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects and values. Think about how your skills align with their needs and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their strategic growth ambitions.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our collaborative culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planning Consultant/Development Lead in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your planning consultancy background and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Principal Planning Consultant role. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they align with our goals at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities. Discuss how you've driven growth or improved processes in previous roles. We love candidates who can think outside the box and contribute to our ambitious plans!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the consultancy's services and how they integrate. Brush up on your knowledge of planning, development, and the full development lifecycle. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven growth in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior team members and how you've contributed to their development. This is key for a senior position like this one.
✨Be Strategic
Think about how you can contribute to the consultancy's strategic growth ambitions. Come prepared with ideas on how to increase brand awareness and diversify service offerings. Showing that you can think ahead will impress the hiring manager.
✨Network Like a Pro
Highlight your existing connections with developers, landowners, and agents. If you can bring a strong network to the table, it will set you apart from other candidates. Be ready to discuss how you plan to leverage these relationships for the benefit of the consultancy.