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- 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: Agile working with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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
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?
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 LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in planning consultancy. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth or led teams – this is your time to shine!
✨Be Ready for Interviews
Prepare for 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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planning Consultant/Development Lead in Northampton)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in planning consultancy and development leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your strategic thinking abilities and problem-solving skills. We’re looking for someone who can drive growth and build teams, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Highlight Your People Skills: Since this role involves leading and mentoring teams, make sure to mention your people management capabilities. We love seeing how you’ve supported junior team members and contributed to their growth!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the planning consultancy landscape, especially in the Midlands. Brush up on recent developments, key players, and relevant legislation. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Planning Consultant, you'll be leading teams and driving growth. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight how you’ve mentored junior staff and contributed to their development.
✨Understand the Business Development Aspect
This role involves strategic growth, so be ready to discuss how you can enhance the consultancy's market presence. Think about ways to cross-sell services and build networks. Have a few ideas in mind that you can share during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's future plans, team dynamics, and how they measure success. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to the company's vision.
