Associate Director of Town Planning

Location:

Manchester (M15) – Lancashire, North West, United Kingdom

Salary:

£60000 – £65000 per annum

Type:

Permanent

Main Industry:

Search Management & Executive Jobs

Advertiser:

Penguin Recruitment Ltd

Job ID:

132523872

Posted On:

09 December 2025

Associate Director (Planning)
Location: Manchester
Salary: GBP60,000 + Car Allowance

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading independent planning consultancy in their search for an Associate Director to help lead the launch of their new Manchester office.

With an established reputation for delivering high-quality planning and development services across the UK, this consultancy is known for its collaborative, commercially-minded approach and its commitment to supporting clients across a wide range of sectors.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned planning professional to help shape the direction of a new regional presence and make a significant impact during an exciting period of growth.

The Role

As Associate Director (Planning) – Non-Executive, you will provide strategic oversight and leadership to ensure the operational effectiveness of the new Manchester office. You’ll act as a trusted advisor, contribute to key decisions, and represent the consultancy in the local market.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Management

* Represent the business at local events and forums.
* Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and the local business community.

Compliance and Governance

* Ensure all office operations align with local planning regulations and internal policies.
* Provide regular progress updates to the Managing Director, highlighting key opportunities and challenges.

Recruitment and Team Building

* Support the recruitment and onboarding of the new Manchester team.
* Foster a collaborative and professional culture aligned with the consultancy’s values.

Performance Monitoring

* Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for the new office.
* Offer strategic recommendations to enhance performance and operational efficiency.

Planning Consultancy Work

* Respond to planning enquiries and manage the full scope of planning services for clients.
* Deliver fee proposals, conduct site appraisals, submit planning applications and appeals, and advise on planning policy and development strategy.

Experience Required

* Proven experience in a senior planning leadership role.
* Strong strategic planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
* In-depth knowledge of the Manchester and North West planning landscape.
* Sound understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements.
* Ability to make autonomous, well-informed decisions.
* MRTPI qualification (essential).
* Prior non-executive or advisory experience (desirable).

What’s on Offer

* Competitive remuneration package (GBP60K + car allowance)
* Strategic advisory position with high-level influence
* Opportunity to shape and support a major regional expansion

Interested?
or find out more, contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on # or email # in confidence.

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