Senior Town Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Department: Planning

Reporting to: Planning Director / Associate Director

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Town Planner to join our team in Newcastle. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated planning professional to take a leading role in delivering high-quality planning advice and managing a diverse portfolio of projects across the North East and wider UK.

The successful candidate will manage planning applications and appeals, provide strategic planning advice to clients, identify development opportunities and support the delivery of complex projects across a range of sectors, including residential, commercial, mixed-use and strategic land.

Working closely with clients, local authorities, consultants and internal stakeholders, the Senior Town Planner will play a key role in developing client relationships, driving projects forward and contributing to the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate planning applications, including major and complex development proposals, from initial feasibility through to determination.
• Prepare and review planning statements, supporting documents, planning appraisals and other technical planning reports.
• Provide strategic planning advice on development potential, planning policy, land use and planning risks.
• Undertake site assessments, planning policy reviews and development feasibility studies.
• Advise clients on local and national planning policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and relevant development plan policies.
• Manage planning appeals, including written representations, hearings and public inquiries where required.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation, policy and guidance and advise clients on their implications.
• Liaise with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, landowners, developers and other key stakeholders.

Project and Client Management

• Take responsibility for the delivery of multiple projects, ensuring deadlines, budgets and client expectations are met.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing clients and identify opportunities to develop new business.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, including architects, transport consultants, ecologists, heritage specialists and other technical advisers.
• Attend client meetings, planning committees, public consultations and stakeholder engagement events as required.
• Provide clear, commercially focused advice on planning strategy, project risks and potential development outcomes.
• Prepare fee proposals, manage project budgets and monitor project performance.

Leadership and Business Development

• Provide guidance, mentoring and technical support to junior planners and other team members.
• Support the development and implementation of the planning team's business strategy.
• Contribute to bids, tenders, fee proposals and wider business development activities.
• Represent the business professionally at industry events and within the regional planning and development community.
• Contribute to best practice, quality assurance and the continuous improvement of internal processes.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or demonstrable progress towards chartership where appropriate.
• Significant experience in a town planning, planning consultancy, local authority or property development environment.
• Proven experience managing planning applications and providing planning advice across a range of development sectors.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, national planning policy and local development plan frameworks.
• Excellent report-writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing client relationships, project programmes and competing priorities.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, commercially aware approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites and client meetings where required.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience working on major residential, strategic land, commercial or mixed-use developments.
• Knowledge of the North East planning market, including Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham.
• Experience advising landowners, housebuilders, developers, investors or public-sector clients.
• Experience preparing planning appeal submissions and supporting public inquiries or hearings.
• A track record of developing client relationships and contributing to business growth.
• Experience mentoring junior team members and supporting wider team leadership.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be commercially aware, organised and confident in providing clear, pragmatic planning advice. They will demonstrate initiative, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage complex projects while maintaining excellent client relationships.

They will also be collaborative, solutions-focused and motivated to contribute to the growth and reputation of the planning team in Newcastle and the wider North East.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• Pension scheme and additional employee benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued CPD.
• Support for RTPI membership and relevant professional qualifications, where applicable.
• A varied portfolio of projects and the opportunity to take ownership of high-profile developments.
• Clear opportunities for career progression and increased responsibility.
• A collaborative working environment with exposure to clients and projects across the region.

We welcome applications from experienced planning professionals who are looking to take the next step in their career and make a meaningful contribution to development across Newcastle and the wider North East.

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