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Associate Director - Job Opportunity at Carrington West

Birmingham, GB
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 12, 2025
On-site
£55,000 - £75,000 per year

Benefits

Competitive performance-based bonus structure that rewards individual and team achievements while incentivizing strategic business development
Comprehensive healthcare coverage providing financial security and peace of mind for employees and their families
Robust company pension scheme ensuring long-term financial stability and retirement planning support
Structured career advancement opportunities within an expanding organization offering clear progression pathways
Ongoing professional development and training programs to maintain industry expertise and enhance skill sets
Exposure to diverse and high-profile planning projects that build professional reputation and expertise

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic vision development and implementation for the Town Planning department, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and positioning the division as a market leader in Birmingham's planning consultancy sector
Lead comprehensive project management across diverse residential, commercial, and mixed-use development portfolios, ensuring delivery excellence that enhances client relationships and drives repeat business opportunities
Provide transformational leadership and mentorship to planning professionals, building organizational capability while fostering talent retention and career development within a competitive market
Cultivate and maintain strategic client relationships that generate long-term partnership opportunities and position the consultancy as the preferred planning advisor for major developments
Ensure regulatory compliance excellence while staying ahead of legislative changes, positioning the organization as a trusted authority on UK planning regulations and Birmingham-specific policies
Optimize financial performance through strategic budget management and resource allocation, balancing profitability objectives with service quality to drive sustainable business growth
Drive business development initiatives through strategic networking and proposal development, expanding market share within Birmingham's competitive planning consultancy landscape

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Town Planning, Urban Design, or a related field

Experience

at least 3-5 years of experience in a leadership role

Required Skills

Strong knowledge of UK planning regulations and local Birmingham planning policies Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities Adept at project management, including financial oversight and resource allocation Business development acumen and a network within the Birmingham planning community

Certifications

Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UK planning consultancy sector is experiencing significant growth driven by government initiatives to streamline planning processes and increase housing delivery, creating substantial opportunities for experienced professionals who can navigate complex regulatory environments while delivering strategic value to clients. Birmingham's position as a key regional economic hub is driving increased demand for mixed-use developments and urban regeneration projects, particularly following major infrastructure investments and the Commonwealth Games legacy developments, creating a robust pipeline of high-value planning opportunities. Digital transformation in planning processes, including the adoption of PropTech solutions and digital planning platforms, is reshaping service delivery expectations and creating competitive advantages for consultancies that can integrate technology with traditional planning expertise.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of £55,000-£75,000 is competitive for Birmingham's planning consultancy market, positioning slightly above regional averages for Associate Director roles while remaining below London rates, reflecting the city's strong cost-of-living advantage and growing professional services sector.

Role Significance

Typically responsible for managing a team of 5-15 planning professionals including senior planners, planners, and graduate trainees, with matrix management responsibilities across multiple project teams and client accounts.
This Associate Director position represents a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility, involving departmental oversight, client relationship management, and business development accountability that directly impacts organizational growth and market positioning.

Key Projects

Major residential developments including strategic housing sites and urban extensions requiring complex stakeholder engagement and section 106 negotiations Commercial and mixed-use developments in Birmingham's evolving city center and regeneration areas Infrastructure projects supporting Birmingham's continued growth and regional connectivity improvements

Success Factors

Strategic business development capabilities that can identify and convert new client opportunities while maintaining strong relationships with existing key accounts in Birmingham's competitive planning market Advanced understanding of Birmingham's specific planning policies and regional development priorities, combined with expertise in national planning framework changes and their local implementation implications Exceptional team leadership skills that can attract, develop, and retain top planning talent in a competitive recruitment environment while building a high-performance culture focused on client service excellence Financial acumen to manage project profitability while balancing resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects and maintaining service quality standards that differentiate the consultancy from competitors

Market Demand

High demand driven by Birmingham's economic growth, major infrastructure projects, and the ongoing need for experienced planning professionals who can lead teams and manage complex development projects in an increasingly regulated environment.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

RTPI chartered status represents essential professional credibility and technical competency required for senior planning roles, ensuring regulatory compliance knowledge and maintaining client confidence in complex development scenarios Leadership and team management capabilities are fundamental to success given the role's responsibility for developing planning talent and maintaining service delivery standards across multiple concurrent projects Business development acumen is critical for organizational growth and personal career progression, requiring the ability to identify opportunities, build relationships, and convert prospects into long-term client partnerships

Beneficial Skills

Digital planning technology expertise can provide competitive advantages as the industry continues to embrace PropTech solutions and digital workflow optimization Specialized knowledge in emerging planning areas such as sustainability, climate change adaptation, and social value requirements can differentiate service offerings in an increasingly environmentally conscious market Cross-sector development experience spanning residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects enhances versatility and client relationship potential across Birmingham's diverse development landscape

Unique Aspects

The role offers significant autonomy in shaping departmental strategy within a growing consultancy, providing entrepreneurial opportunities rarely available in larger, more established firms
Birmingham's position as a key regional growth center offers exposure to diverse, high-profile development projects that can accelerate career progression and professional recognition
The combination of team leadership, client management, and business development responsibilities provides comprehensive preparation for senior director or partner-level roles
Access to Birmingham's extensive professional networks and development pipeline offers exceptional business development opportunities for ambitious planning professionals

Career Growth

Progression to Director level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing Associate Directors who demonstrate consistent business development success and team leadership excellence in growing markets like Birmingham.

Potential Next Roles

Planning Director or Regional Director positions within larger consultancies, offering broader geographic responsibility and larger team management scope Practice Director roles with equity partnership opportunities in established planning consultancies Independent consultancy establishment leveraging Birmingham network and client relationships developed in this role

Company Overview

Carrington West

Carrington West operates as a specialized recruitment consultancy focusing on the built environment sector, working with leading multi-disciplinary private consultancies across the UK to identify and place senior planning professionals in strategic roles.

Established recruitment firm with strong relationships across the planning and development sector, particularly known for placing senior professionals in growth-oriented consultancies throughout the UK's major regional markets.
Strong presence in Birmingham's professional services market with established relationships among the city's leading planning consultancies, property developers, and public sector planning departments.
The hiring organization appears to prioritize collaborative innovation and professional development, offering a dynamic environment that supports career progression while maintaining high service delivery standards in a competitive market.
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