Planning Director - London

Director of Planning

Location: Multiple Locations

Job Type: Full-time

Overview

A leading multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking an experienced Director of Planning to provide strategic leadership within its Planning and Environmental function.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced planning professional to help shape the future of infrastructure and development projects. The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, driving business growth, delivering complex planning projects, and building long-term client relationships across a diverse range of sectors.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead and grow the planning function while ensuring the delivery of high-quality planning services. The role combines strategic leadership, business development, technical excellence, project oversight, commercial management, and people leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the planning team.
• Develop and implement business strategy and growth plans.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop teams across multiple offices.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive culture.

Business Development

• Lead business development activities and secure new project opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and contribute to future business growth.
• Represent the organisation within the wider planning and development sector.

Project Delivery

• Act as Project Director on major planning commissions.
• Provide expert planning advice on complex development projects.
• Oversee project delivery, commercial performance, and governance.
• Ensure projects are delivered to the highest technical and professional standards.

Collaboration

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Encourage knowledge sharing and collaborative working across the organisation.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and mentor planning professionals.
• Support recruitment, retention, and succession planning.
• Encourage professional development and career progression.
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing working environment.

About you:

Essential

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a recognised professional planning institution or equivalent.
• Extensive experience within planning consultancy or a similar professional environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing successful teams.
• Proven track record of delivering complex planning and development projects.
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and consenting processes.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial management experience.
• Experience managing key client relationships and securing new business.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Experience delivering major infrastructure or other large-scale development projects.
• Well-established professional network within the planning sector.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams.

What''s on Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive employee benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression.
• Supportive, collaborative, and inclusive working environment.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile planning and development projects.

Please get in contact with Matt Stevenson on (phone number removed) for further details