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Senior Town Planner - Job Opportunity at Carrington West

Winchester, GB
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 7, 2025
On-site
GBP 38,000 - 55,000 per year

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic client relationship development to expand business opportunities and establish market presence in the competitive planning consultancy sector
Lead comprehensive project execution from conception to completion, ensuring adherence to complex regulatory frameworks and delivering measurable outcomes for diverse stakeholders
Manage autonomous project portfolios while maintaining direct accountability for quality standards, budget compliance, and timeline delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives
Facilitate strategic coordination between clients, Local Authorities, and consultant networks to achieve project objectives and navigate complex planning approval processes
Provide executive-level project reporting and milestone communication to senior leadership, demonstrating impact on organizational growth and client satisfaction metrics

Requirements

Education

Relevant town planning degree and/or masters

Experience

Proven experience in a planning-related role (Planner or Senior Planner)

Required Skills

Strong understanding of industry regulations and standards Excellent communication and client management skills Ability to manage multiple projects efficiently within time and budget constraints
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UK planning sector is experiencing significant transformation driven by government initiatives around housing delivery targets, with the National Planning Policy Framework updates creating new opportunities for planning professionals who can navigate complex regulatory changes. Local authorities are increasingly relying on external consultancy support due to resource constraints, creating sustained demand for experienced planning professionals. Digital transformation in planning processes, including the adoption of PropTech solutions and digital planning applications, is reshaping how planning consultancies operate. Professionals who can integrate traditional planning expertise with modern digital tools are commanding premium positions in the market. Environmental sustainability and climate change considerations are becoming central to all planning decisions, with new requirements for biodiversity net gain, carbon assessments, and sustainable development principles creating specialized expertise demands in the planning consultancy market.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of £38,000-£55,000 represents a competitive positioning for the Winchester market, with the upper range aligning well with regional standards for senior planning roles. Given Winchester's proximity to London and its strong economic base, this range effectively balances cost-of-living considerations with the premium that planning expertise commands in the South East England market.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a team structure of 8-15 planning professionals, likely reporting to a Principal or Director level, while potentially supervising 2-4 junior planners or graduates, positioning the role as a key bridge between operational delivery and strategic leadership.
This senior-level position represents a pivotal role within the planning consultancy hierarchy, combining autonomous project leadership with strategic client development responsibilities. The role sits at the intersection of technical planning expertise and business development, indicating significant influence on both project outcomes and organizational growth trajectory.

Key Projects

Residential development schemes ranging from small-scale housing developments to large strategic sites requiring complex stakeholder coordination and Section 106 negotiations Commercial and mixed-use development projects involving retail, office, and industrial planning applications with multi-jurisdictional approval requirements Infrastructure and utilities projects requiring specialized knowledge of nationally significant infrastructure planning processes and environmental impact assessments

Success Factors

Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities enabling effective navigation of complex political and regulatory environments while maintaining positive relationships with Local Planning Authorities, elected officials, and community groups Advanced technical competency in planning policy interpretation and application, combined with strong analytical skills for conducting thorough site assessments, policy compliance reviews, and strategic development appraisals Business development acumen with proven ability to identify market opportunities, build sustainable client relationships, and contribute to revenue growth through both repeat business and new client acquisition Project management excellence with demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining quality standards, budget controls, and strict deadline adherence in a fast-paced consultancy environment

Market Demand

High demand driven by chronic skills shortage in planning sector, government housing delivery pressures, and increasing complexity of planning regulations requiring specialized expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced planning policy knowledge and regulatory compliance expertise are fundamental to successful project delivery, as the increasing complexity of national and local planning frameworks requires deep technical competency to navigate approval processes and avoid costly delays or appeals Client relationship management and business development skills are essential for long-term career progression in the consultancy environment, as the ability to generate repeat business and secure new clients directly impacts both individual advancement opportunities and organizational success Project management and time management capabilities are crucial given the multi-project nature of consultancy work, where the ability to maintain quality standards while managing competing priorities determines both client satisfaction and personal career advancement

Beneficial Skills

Digital planning technology proficiency including GIS applications, planning software, and emerging PropTech solutions will become increasingly valuable as the sector continues digital transformation Environmental and sustainability expertise, particularly in biodiversity net gain assessments and climate change adaptation planning, represents a growing market segment with premium positioning opportunities Public speaking and presentation skills for planning committee appearances, public consultations, and stakeholder engagement sessions enhance professional credibility and client value proposition

Unique Aspects

The role combines traditional town planning expertise with significant business development responsibilities, creating a hybrid position that offers both technical career progression and commercial skill development opportunities
Winchester location provides unique exposure to both urban regeneration projects and rural development challenges, offering diverse project experience within a historically significant and economically dynamic regional center
The emphasis on client relationship management and new business generation indicates this role serves as a stepping stone toward partnership or director-level positions within the planning consultancy sector

Career Growth

Progression to Principal level typically occurs within 3-5 years with strong performance, while Director-level positions generally require 5-8 years of demonstrable business development success and team leadership experience

Potential Next Roles

Principal Town Planner positions involving strategic leadership of planning teams and major client account management Planning Director roles focused on business development, team leadership, and strategic market positioning within established consultancies Independent consultancy establishment leveraging built client relationships and technical expertise to create specialized planning practice

Company Overview

Carrington West

Carrington West operates as a specialized recruitment consultancy focused on the built environment sector, maintaining an established presence in planning, surveying, and construction recruitment across the UK market. The company has built a reputation for connecting planning professionals with growth-oriented consultancies and public sector organizations, indicating strong industry networks and market knowledge.

Positioned as a mid-tier specialist recruiter with particular strength in the planning and surveying sectors, Carrington West maintains competitive positioning through sector specialization rather than scale, enabling focused expertise in candidate and client relationship management within the built environment professional services market.
Strong presence across Southern England with particular expertise in the London commuter belt markets including Winchester, where the combination of economic growth, housing pressure, and regulatory complexity creates sustained demand for specialized planning recruitment services.
The recruitment consultancy environment typically emphasizes relationship building, market knowledge development, and consultative selling approaches, suggesting a culture that values professional networking, continuous learning, and collaborative client service delivery in the competitive planning recruitment market.
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