Planning Consultant

Calling early career Town Planners with an interest in strategic planning, land promotion and development planning in the UK and internationally.

About the role: Prior + Partners is a specialist placemaking practice integrating masterplanning, planning and economics to unlock the potential of places and communities. Prior + Partners’ planning team continues to go from strength to strength, with our team currently engaged on major transformational projects across the UK and globe, and the practice recognised as RTPI Planning Consultancy of the Year 2024. We provide clear and commercially astute advice to support the whole planning process. From planning strategy development, advising on acquisition, through to all stages of site promotion, plan making, and planning applications, we work with public, private, joint venture and institutional clients to set processes that aid the execution of viable and ambitious development proposals.

In line with our portfolio, we have immediate opportunities for Town Planners with an interest in strategic planning, land promotion and development planning and can demonstrate a commitment to shaping successful places and communities to the highest standard. Your workload will include a range in scales, from major regional strategies and frameworks to site level masterplans, development strategies and planning applications.

We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate awareness and experience of the following core aspects:

• Proven experience in Development Planning - Demonstrable expertise across a diverse range of planning application types from initial concept through to successful submission, post submission negotiation, discharge of conditions and submission of reserved matters.
• Strategic Planning and site promotion - Ability to research and apply policy to develop and implement effective planning strategies, including promoting sites for allocation in local plans.
• Plan Making expertise - Experience in producing evidence bases, drafting Local Plans, Supplementary Planning Documents, and Development Briefs.
• Client relationship management - Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of client types—public sector bodies, private developers, joint ventures, and institutional clients—while fostering strong professional relationships.
• Professional accreditation - Chartered membership or active pursuit of accreditation with relevant professional bodies such as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS Planning & Development), or equivalent organisations.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Demonstrated success in managing medium-sized projects effectively.
• Strong aptitude and interest in cultivating client relationships and driving business development.
• Active participation in professional memberships, industry networks, and events.
• Skilled in preparing high-quality bid materials.
• High quality written, verbal and graphic communication skills.
• Awareness and experience in the interpretation of wider legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.

If this sounds like you, please get in touch via email with your CV, a brief statement on interest and any relevant working permits - careers@priorpartners.com. Please note that only applications made directly to our recruitment mailbox will be considered for the position.

Salary will depend on experience, and we will offer the opportunity to further your career as well as knowledge of other disciplines within the practice, with our multi-disciplinary team including urban designers, architects, planners, place economists, spatial data scientists and public realm specialists.

Prior + Partners is an Employee-Owned Trust and an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an open, respectful environment where people can build lasting careers and do their best work. We welcome applications for those returning to the profession from a career break.