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- Tasks: Provide expert planning advice and support to clients and stakeholders.
- Company: Award-winning consultancy with a focus on professional growth and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the planning sector.
- Qualifications: BA degree or RTPI-accredited qualification with 2+ years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with strong emphasis on training and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
An award‑winning, market‑leading specialist consultancy is seeking a Senior Planning Consultant to join its expanding Professional Services Team due to sustained growth. Based in Birmingham, the role operates under an Agile Working Policy, requiring attendance at the Birmingham office as business needs dictate, alongside flexibility to work outside traditional office hours when required. Reporting to a Principal Planning Consultant, you will play a key role in delivering specialist planning services to planning professionals, developers, local planning authorities, applicants, and members of the public. A significant aspect of the role involves providing expert advice via a national online planning platform.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing online and remote planning advice on general and complex planning matters
- Supporting the wider Planning Services Team by responding to planning queries
- Preparing for and contributing to customer meetings through policy and planning history research
- Producing high-quality written summaries, planning consultancy reports, and recommendations
- Completing delegated and committee planning application reports in line with KPIs, including: Household extensions, Lawful Development Certificates, Prior Notifications, Advertisement Consents, Changes of Use
- Preparing planning application documentation and supporting submissions, including site visits where required
- Communicating and negotiating effectively with applicants, agents, and stakeholders
- Providing post‑decision and post‑refusal advice
- Using internal systems to record application progress, site visits, and evaluations
- Maintaining customer enquiry databases in line with performance targets
- Attending monthly team meetings and weekly one‑to‑one case conferences
- Undertaking peer and management quality reviews of planning reports
- Supporting team members through technical guidance, performance monitoring, and case reviews
- Contributing planning expertise to business development activities
- Maintaining a "right first time" approach, ensuring high standards of quality, productivity, and efficiency
- Meeting daily, weekly, and monthly production targets
- Undertaking additional duties appropriate to the role and grade
What We’re Looking For
- A relevant BA degree or equivalent RTPI-accredited planning qualification
- Minimum 2 years' experience within a Local Planning Authority, private consultancy, or a combination of both
- Strong technical planning knowledge with the ability to assess proposals against local, regional, and national policy
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence advising professionals and the public
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and work to strict deadlines in a production‑led environment
- High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and quality
- Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills
- Commitment to continuing professional development and staying up to date with planning policy changes
Desirable
- Experience providing guidance or leadership within a planning team
- Eligibility for RTPI membership
- Full UK driving licence
Why Apply
- Competitive salary
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
- Pension scheme, life assurance, and employee assistance programme
- Enhanced family‑friendly policies
- Genuine flexibility through an Agile Working approach
- Strong emphasis on training, development, and career progression
- Supportive, inclusive, and people‑focused working culture
Interested? Contact Josh Jones.
Senior Planning Consultant in Willenhall employer: Penguin Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Penguin Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Consultant in Willenhall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the planning sector, attend industry events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Senior Planning Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their approach to planning and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine, so practice answering common interview questions related to planning consultancy!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your previous work or case studies that highlight your planning knowledge and problem-solving skills. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex planning issues in the past, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and reflecting on a key discussion point can leave a lasting impression. We believe that a little courtesy goes a long way in making you stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Consultant in Willenhall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Planning Consultant role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your technical planning knowledge and communication skills.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous jobs; explain how your experience aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Use specific examples of how you've provided planning advice or managed projects to demonstrate your expertise.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we want you to be professional, don’t hesitate to let your personality shine through. A bit of warmth and authenticity can make your application stand out. Remember, we’re looking for someone who fits into our supportive and inclusive culture!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Make sure you brush up on local, regional, and national planning policies before the interview. Being able to discuss how these policies apply to real-world scenarios will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical planning issues or provide advice on complex matters. Practise articulating your thought process clearly, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves advising various stakeholders, be ready to highlight your communication style. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information to non-experts, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
The consultancy values teamwork, so prepare to discuss your experience working in a team environment. Share specific instances where you supported colleagues or contributed to team goals, showcasing your collaborative spirit.
