Planning Manager

Planning Manager

Location: Bristol
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Planning Manager to join a growing planning consultancy in Bristol. This is an excellent opportunity for an established planning professional to take ownership of a varied portfolio of projects, manage client relationships and play a key role in the continued growth of the business.

Working across a diverse range of sectors, you will lead planning projects from initial feasibility through to submission and determination, providing strategic planning advice to clients while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and successfully.

The role offers the opportunity to take on a high level of responsibility, contribute to business development activities and support the development of junior team members within a collaborative consultancy environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects across residential, commercial, mixed-use, strategic land and wider development schemes.

• Lead the preparation, submission and management of planning applications, appeals and associated planning documentation.

• Provide strategic planning advice to clients, identifying opportunities, managing risks and developing effective planning strategies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, local planning authorities, landowners, developers and other key stakeholders.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external consultants to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and within agreed timescales.

• Oversee project budgets, deadlines and resources, ensuring effective project management throughout the planning process.

• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to the preparation of proposals, fee bids and client presentations.

• Support, mentor and develop junior planning professionals, sharing technical knowledge and encouraging professional development.

• Keep up to date with changes to planning legislation, national policy and local development plans, advising clients on their implications.

• Contribute to the wider growth and development of the consultancy, helping to strengthen its presence within the Bristol and South West planning market.

About You

• Proven experience within town planning, ideally gained within a private-sector planning consultancy or a relevant development environment.

• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, including planning applications, appeals and development management.

• Experience managing planning projects independently, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Confident in building client relationships and communicating planning advice to a range of stakeholders.

• Commercially aware, with an interest in business development and identifying opportunities to grow client accounts.

• Experience supporting or mentoring junior colleagues would be advantageous.

• Chartered Member of the RTPI, or working towards chartership, is desirable.

What''s on Offer?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• Opportunity to take ownership of a diverse and interesting project portfolio.

• A varied role combining technical planning, project management and client engagement.

• Genuine opportunities for career progression and increased responsibility.

• A collaborative working environment within an established or growing planning consultancy.

• Ongoing professional development and support towards further career progression.

• Flexible working arrangements, depending on the needs of the business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planning professional looking to take the next step in their career, combining project leadership and client-facing responsibilities with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a growing consultancy in Bristol.