Principal Town Planner

Job Title: Principal Town Planner

Location: Northampton

About the Company

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multidisciplinary land and property consultancy with offices across the Midlands.

The business delivers a wide range of services including planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation, and business consultancy, helping clients maximise the value and potential of their assets.

You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary development team made up of planners, engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, and architects. The organisation offers the ideal balance between scale and agility - large enough to deliver diverse, high-quality projects, yet small enough to provide autonomy, visibility, and genuine cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Due to strategic growth within the Kettering office, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Planning Consultant to help establish and expand the planning and development presence across Northamptonshire.

The Role

This is a senior-level position combining strategic leadership, business development, and hands-on planning consultancy delivery. You will act as a key figure within the Kettering office, driving growth, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing market presence.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Delivery

Act as the lead planning expert within the Kettering office
Deliver planning consultancy services across a variety of sectors
Provide both general and strategic planning advice to clients
Coordinate and prepare planning applications with internal teams
Manage post-planning negotiations, appeals, and related processes
Oversee development lifecycle stages including technical design, procurement, and construction-phase input
Lead multidisciplinary project teams, managing delivery, risk, and programme performance
Support and mentor junior team members to develop technical capabilityStrategic & Business Development

Drive growth of the planning and development offer across Northamptonshire
Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, landowners, promoters, and agents
Cross-sell complementary services including land promotion, valuation, and agency work
Increase brand awareness and generate new instructions
Identify opportunities to diversify services and expand into new markets
Improve operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability
Strengthen integration across the wider service offeringAbout You

We are seeking an experienced planning professional with strong leadership and commercial capability.

Essential Requirements

MRTPI qualified (or equivalent)
Proven experience in planning consultancy and development-led work
Track record of business development, networking, or team growth
Strong understanding of the full development process
Experience in post-planning, technical design, and project delivery
Excellent project management and coordination skills
Full UK driving licencePersonal Attributes

Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail
Confident decision-maker and problem solver
Strong communicator and relationship builder
Commercially aware and growth-focused
Resilient, adaptable, and proactive
Passion for innovation and continuous improvementBenefits

Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
Private healthcare (BUPA)
35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
Additional birthday day off
Extra holiday for long service
Discretionary bonus scheme
Enhanced pension scheme (NEST)
Professional membership fees paid + CPD support
Employee Assistance Programme + health plan + flu jab
Agile and flexible working culture
EV and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet suitable candidates ASAP. If you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)