At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning strategy for strategic land sites and manage applications from start to finish.
- Company: Established housebuilder with a strong presence in Cambridgeshire and East Anglia.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and build relationships with Local Planning Authorities.
- Why this job: Join a key role in an ambitious growth pipeline and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning and proven experience in residential development essential.
Our client, a well-established housebuilder with a strong regional presence across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia, is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead planning strategy across their strategic land portfolio. This is a key hire supporting an ambitious growth pipeline, working closely with the Land and Technical teams to secure planning consents on sites ranging from urban extensions to greenfield strategic promotions.
- Lead and manage planning applications from pre-application through to determination and discharge of conditions across a portfolio of strategic land sites.
- Develop planning strategies for sites at promotion, allocation, and application stage, working closely with the Land team on site appraisals and acquisitions.
- Instruct, brief, and manage external consultant teams (planning, highways, ecology, landscape, heritage, etc.).
- Represent the business at pre-application meetings, public consultations, and Planning Committee, building and maintaining strong relationships with Local Planning Authorities across the region.
- Monitor emerging Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans, and policy changes across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia authorities, identifying opportunities and risks for the land pipeline.
- Prepare and review planning appraisals, viability inputs, and S106/CIL negotiations in conjunction with commercial and technical colleagues.
- Manage planning appeals where required, working with counsel and technical witnesses.
- Support land buying colleagues with due diligence on new site opportunities, including planning risk assessment.
- Report regularly to senior management on planning progress, programme, and risk across the portfolio.
Degree in Town Planning, or a related discipline; Proven track record in a planning role within a housebuilder, developer, or strategic land promoter — residential development experience essential.
Strong working knowledge of the planning system, including Local Plan process, S106/CIL, and appeals.
Established relationships with, or strong working knowledge of, Local Planning Authorities across Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region.
Experience managing multi-disciplinary consultant teams and planning budgets.
Commercially minded, with the ability to balance planning strategy against viability and programme.
Full UK driving licence, with willingness to travel across the regional site portfolio.
Strategy Manager / Senior Manager in Cambridge employer: tdm recruitment
At tdm recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, our team enjoys a collaborative environment with opportunities for progression, alongside competitive benefits such as performance-related bonuses. Join us to make a meaningful impact in enhancing customer experiences across the South West while being part of a dynamic and expanding team.
