At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning strategy and manage a team in Yorkshire's housing development.
- Company: Established housebuilder with a strong presence in the Yorkshire region.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to shape local communities.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategic land decisions and work at board level.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing development and engage with key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Extensive planning experience, ideally in residential projects, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
A well-established Yorkshire division of a major housebuilder is looking for a Senior Planning Manager to lead its planning function. Reporting directly to the Land Director, this is the senior planning hire in the region — responsible for driving planning strategy across a live pipeline of immediate and strategic land, managing a small team of planners, and playing a visible role at board level.
THE ROLE — RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead all planning activity across the Yorkshire region — immediate consents, outline applications, and a long-term strategic land portfolio.
- Manage and develop a team of two town planners, setting workload priorities and quality standards.
- Oversee the preparation, submission, and negotiation of planning applications, S106 agreements, and pre-application discussions.
- Contribute to land acquisition decisions — appraising planning risk, identifying allocation opportunities, and supporting the Land Director in site selection.
- Engage directly with local planning authorities, consultants, and statutory bodies to progress consents.
- Monitor and influence emerging Local Plans, SPDs, and planning policy changes relevant to the region's land strategy.
- Present planning appraisals and updates to the regional board — owning the narrative on planning risk and programme.
- Work closely with the technical, land, and commercial teams to align planning programme with build and sales phasing.
- Support due diligence on potential acquisitions, including assessment of planning history, constraints, and deliverability.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Substantial planning experience gained on the developer or housebuilder side — candidates from consultancy will not be considered unless they have significant client-side or in-house experience.
- Strong track record in residential planning, ideally including both outline and detailed applications across mixed site types.
- Experience working across both immediate and strategic land — understanding the full pipeline lifecycle.
- Used to presenting to board or senior leadership — comfortable owning the planning narrative in a business context, not just a technical one.
- MRTPI qualified (preferred) or equivalent experience.
- Proven ability to manage and mentor junior planners.
- Strong negotiation skills — experienced in handling LPA relationships, S106 heads of terms, and appeal management.
- Commercially minded — able to translate planning risk into business language and contribute meaningfully to land appraisals.
Development Manager profile also considered: Candidates with a Development Manager background will be considered where they can demonstrate deep, extensive planning expertise gained across the planning process — not project delivery. The emphasis must be on planning knowledge and strategy, not programme management or build-out.
Senior Planning Manager in Portsmouth employer: tdm recruitment
Join a leading housebuilder in Yorkshire, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the region's planning strategy as a Senior Planning Manager. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth, offering opportunities to mentor junior planners and engage with senior leadership, all while contributing to impactful land development projects. With a focus on innovation and community engagement, we provide a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful difference in the housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Manager in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend local planning events, and engage in discussions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in residential planning and your ability to manage teams. Bring up specific examples of how you've navigated complex planning applications.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in opportunities. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed relationships with local planning authorities and handled S106 agreements. This will show you're not just a planner, but a strategic thinker.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Manager in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Planning Manager role. Highlight your substantial planning experience, especially in residential planning, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like MRTPI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Discuss your experience with managing teams and engaging with local planning authorities, and how you can contribute to our planning strategy.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves managing a small team of planners, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've set workload priorities and quality standards in previous roles to demonstrate your ability to mentor junior planners.
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 us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at tdm recruitment
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your planning knowledge, especially around residential planning and the full pipeline lifecycle. Be ready to discuss your experience with both immediate consents and strategic land, as this will show you understand the role inside out.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be managing a small team of planners, it's crucial to highlight your mentoring and management experience. Prepare examples of how you've set workload priorities and maintained quality standards in previous roles.
✨Engage with the Business Side
This role requires you to own the planning narrative at board level, so practice translating technical planning risks into business language. Think about how you've contributed to land appraisals and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Expect questions around your negotiation skills, particularly with local planning authorities and S106 agreements. Have some real-life examples ready where you've successfully navigated these relationships and managed planning appeals.
