Senior Town Planner | Principal Planner

Senior/Principal Town Planner - Infrastructure & Development Projects

Location: North of England - Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield



Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting one of the UK's most respected multi-disciplinary consultancies in their search for experienced Senior or Principal Town Planners to join their growing Planning & Environmental team in the North of England.



This market-leading consultancy works at the cutting edge of sustainable development, infrastructure delivery, and planning policy, partnering with major public and private sector clients across the UK and internationally. From Net Zero to Biodiversity Net Gain and digital transformation, this is an opportunity to work with one of the UK's most forward-thinking planning teams.



The Opportunity:



You'll be joining a dynamic and high-performing planning team that supports clients across key markets including Energy, Water, Transport, Defence, and Housing. Key clients include the Environment Agency, Highways, Homes England, Network Rail, Transport for the North, High Speed 2, the GLA, the Ministry of Defence, and many others. You'll also be working on strategic planning, policy, and infrastructure delivery across local authorities, LEPs, and private developers.



Key Responsibilities:



Lead on a range of planning projects, including major applications and strategic planning

Act as project lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams across complex schemes

Oversee project delivery, including programme and budget management

Support bid writing and framework submissions

Mentor junior team members and help shape the future of the planning team

Engage with clients and market leads to drive business growth and enhance market presenceWhat We're Looking For:



A degree in Town Planning or a related subject (RTPI membership desirable)

Experience delivering projects under TCPA, DCO, TWAO, or equivalent consenting regimes

Strong understanding of EIA, planning policy, and infrastructure planning

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting

Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines

Experience developing client relationships and contributing to work winning

A collaborative mindset with the confidence to lead or work within multi-disciplinary teamsWhy Join?



Work on nation-shaping infrastructure projects with a leading consultancy

Hybrid and flexible working to support your work-life balance

Supportive and inclusive team environment focused on career growth

Competitive salary, annual bonus, and an excellent benefits package

Genuine commitment to sustainability, equality, and social value initiativesThis is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and experienced Planner to contribute to some of the UK's most impactful and strategic projects.



For more information or a confidential chat, contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)