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- Tasks: Lead complex planning projects and mentor a growing team in Newcastle.
- Company: Join a leading multidisciplinary consultancy with a focus on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, enhanced leave, private healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape impactful projects across diverse sectors while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning, strong leadership skills, and experience in managing major planning applications.
- Other info: Autonomy in a senior role with no ceiling on progression and a collaborative culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Penguin Recruitment is excited to partner with a leading multidisciplinary consultancy in search of a Principal Planner to join their expanding planning team in Newcastle. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to lead complex planning projects, manage and develop a growing team, and play a key role in shaping and expanding the planning services across the business. As a Principal Planner, you will take ownership of major commissions from early strategy through to planning consent, acting as the senior planning lead for clients and stakeholders. You will contribute to business development, resourcing, and quality assurance, while helping to drive growth within the planning team. The role offers exposure to an exciting and diverse portfolio including residential developments, environmental and marine projects, commercial and industrial schemes, renewables and energy infrastructure, major infrastructure and consenting, and stakeholder engagement. Although based in Newcastle, the team supports projects across England, Scotland, and Wales, alongside a strong local client base.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead planning strategy and delivery on major and complex projects
- Manage and mentor junior planners, supporting team performance
- Oversee and coordinate a wide range of planning and consenting submissions
- Act as senior planning point of contact for clients
- Lead stakeholder engagement with LPAs, statutory consultees, communities, and political stakeholders
- Manage project budgets, programmes, and governance
- Prepare fee proposals and tender submissions
- Collaborate with internal engineering, transport, environmental, and design teams to deliver integrated outcomes
- Ensure projects are delivered efficiently while maintaining the highest technical standards and client satisfaction; be a visible leader within the planning team, fostering a collaborative culture and supporting professional development
Essential
- Proven track record leading major and complex planning applications from pre-application through to determination
- Strong client management experience
- Demonstrable people leadership (mentoring, line management, or leading teams/programmes)
- Degree in Town Planning or related discipline
- MRTPI Chartered (or operating at Chartered level with a clear route to completion)
- Strong understanding of planning policy, development management, and the wider regulatory environment
- Confident written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Experience or exposure to EIA projects
- Commercial awareness and experience managing fees and budgets
- An established professional network
This Principal Planner role offers a senior leadership position with real autonomy and no ceiling on progression. You will work on high-profile, technically diverse projects while enjoying flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced annual leave, pension, private healthcare, and professional subscriptions. The consultancy provides structured CPD and fosters a culture focused on quality, integrity, and sustainable outcomes.
For further details, contact Joel Bland at Penguin Recruitment.
Principal Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: TipTopJob
Contact Detail:
TipTopJob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with industry professionals! Attend planning events, seminars, or local meet-ups. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this to demonstrate your skills and experience in leading complex planning applications.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing teams and engaging with stakeholders.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading complex planning projects. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Planner, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Principal Planner, you'll be managing and mentoring junior planners. Use your application to demonstrate your people leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've supported team performance and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
Highlight Client Management Experience: This role requires strong client management skills, so make sure to include any relevant experiences where you've acted as a senior point of contact for clients. We want to see how you’ve built relationships and managed expectations effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key projects you've worked on, especially those that align with the role of Principal Planner. Be ready to discuss your approach to leading complex planning applications and how you managed stakeholder engagement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Planner, you'll be expected to manage and mentor junior planners. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, highlighting your mentoring style and how you've contributed to team performance and development.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Brush up on your knowledge of planning policy and the regulatory environment. Be prepared to discuss how you navigate these complexities in your projects and how this knowledge can benefit the consultancy's diverse portfolio.
✨Communicate Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, both in writing and verbally. Think about how you would present a project to clients or stakeholders and be ready to demonstrate your ability to engage effectively.
