Associate Director (Planning)

Overview

Our client is a respected, growth-minded planning consultancy partnering with major housebuilders (e.g. Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments, Vistry). They are seeking an experiencedAssociate or Associate Director (MRTPI) to help deliver high-quality planning advice and applications across key strategic sites in the West Midlands.

The opportunity

You'll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering complex residential and mixed-use projects-combining robust planning policy advice with the preparation and management of planning applications. This is a client-facing, delivery-focused position with genuine scope to influence project strategy and mentor junior colleagues. Business development forms asmallpart of the role; the emphasis is firmly onclient service and project leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Provide clear, commercially mindedplanning policy advice to private sector clients.
• Lead, prepare and submitplanning applications for strategic residential and mixed-use developments.
• Project manage multi-disciplinary teams, programmes and budgets to successful outcomes.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, local planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Guide and develop junior team members; contribute to best practice and quality standards.
• Support light-touch business development: proposals, capability statements and occasional client meetings.

About you

• Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) - essential.
• Strongprivate sector consultancy background, ideally with residential/strategic land experience.
• Proven track record advising onplanning policy and leading complexapplications.
• Confident communicator with excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Organised, delivery-driven, and comfortable managing multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of theWest Midlands planning landscape and housing market drivers.

What's on offer

• Competitive salary and bonus aligned to seniority (Associate / Associate Director).
• Flexible, supportive culture with high-calibre projects and national housebuilder clients.
• Clear progression, exposure to strategic work, and the ability to shape your portfolio.
• Collaborative team that values quality, integrity, and work-life balance.
• Work in a City Centre HQ office with great colleagues and a first-class support team around you.

All approaches will be handled with the utmost discretion.