At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse projects in residential, commercial, and mixed-use planning across London.
- Company: A close-knit planning consultancy with a focus on impactful developments.
- Benefits: Ownership of projects, flexible work management, and clear progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a growing team where your contributions are highly valued and visible.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact on London's built environment while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: UK planning experience and strong understanding of the London planning system.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
You’ll take the lead on a varied portfolio of projects across residential, mixed‑use and commercial development, including housing schemes, offices, retail, leisure uses such as padel and arts centres, hospitality venues including restaurants and bars, and care‑related developments. You will connect with people from all walks of life.
Day to day, you will:
- Run your own caseload from early advice through to submission, negotiation and determination
- Prepare and coordinate planning applications, supporting documents and planning strategies
- Work directly with clients, architects and consultants to shape schemes and resolve planning challenges
- Lead discussions and negotiations with local planning authorities
- Manage pre-application discussions and responses through the planning process
- Identify planning risks early and work proactively to resolve them
- Support and mentor junior team members as the office grows
A key part of the role is seeing your work move from concept to consent and into the built environment, contributing to places across London that people live, work and spend time in, with planning decisions that have a visible and lasting impact.
This is a close‑knit team where you’re trusted to take real ownership of your work rather than simply support others. You’ll have:
- Genuine responsibility for your own projects
- The freedom to manage work in a way that suits you, with support when needed
- A varied workload across residential, mixed‑use and commercial schemes
- The opportunity to influence how the business develops as it grows
We’re still small enough for your work to be highly visible but growing quickly enough that there’s clear progression as the team expands.
What we’re looking for:
- UK planning experience (consultancy or local authority)
- Strong understanding of the London planning system
- Confidence managing projects and engaging with clients, consultants and planning officers
- Experience working across a broad mix of sectors is encouraged
- A genuine interest in how places function and how planning shapes them
- Curiosity, initiative and a willingness to challenge the status quo
- MRTPI is welcome, but experience, judgement and approach matter more
- Added bonus of previous business experience
We’re looking for someone confident taking ownership of their work, comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, and able to approach planning in a clear, practical way.
To apply, send your CV (queries@weaplanning.co.uk) and a short note covering: a project you’re proud of and something you’ve learned about working with people along the way. We’ll then arrange an informal conversation to talk through the role in more detail.
Senior Planner employer: WEA Planning
As a Senior Planner with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment where your contributions are valued and visible. Our close-knit team fosters a culture of ownership and collaboration, allowing you to manage diverse projects that shape the vibrant landscape of London. With ample opportunities for professional growth and the freedom to influence our evolving business, we offer a rewarding career path for those passionate about making a lasting impact in planning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from WEA Planning who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at WEA Planning!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to WEA Planning. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at WEA Planning
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at WEA Planning.
