Associate Director

Job Description:

Associate Director – East Midlands – Planning & Design Consultancy
Location: East Midlands (Nottingham office)
Position: Full Time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive + benefits (dependent on experience)

My client is a highly regarded Chartered Town Planning and Urban Design Consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering commercially astute and creative planning solutions across the UK. Since its establishment in 2016, the practice has built an impressive client base including major housebuilders, public sector bodies and national businesses.

Due to continued growth, they are seeking to appoint an Associate Director to join their expanding East Midlands team.

About the Role

Reporting to the Directors, but operating with a high degree of autonomy, the successful candidate will manage their own client base while contributing to the wider strategic growth of the business. You will influence and deliver schemes across the UK spanning residential, employment, retail and leisure sectors.

This is a senior leadership opportunity combining project delivery, client development and team mentoring within a commercially focused consultancy environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Securing project instructions through strong client and professional relationships
• Leading, supervising and mentoring junior team members
• Preparing, submitting and negotiating planning applications and appeals of all scales
• Presenting at Planning Committees, Hearings and Public Inquiries where required
• Promoting medium to large-scale residential, mixed-use and employment developments through the Local Plan process, including participation at Examination in Public
• Devising clear and commercially robust planning strategies
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary external consultant teams
• Managing project budgets, resourcing and programme delivery
• Identifying and optimising new business and cross-selling opportunities
• Supporting Directors in the ongoing growth and operation of the business

The role offers exposure to a broad and diverse project portfolio, encompassing residential developments ranging from strategic sites through to immediate delivery schemes, as well as mixed-use schemes and urban extensions. You will also gain experience across employment and commercial projects, alongside retail and leisure developments, providing a well-rounded consultancy environment.

In addition, the position includes involvement in Local Plan promotion work and representation at Examination in Public, offering valuable strategic planning exposure. The consultancy operates a collaborative working culture with direct access to senior decision-makers, enabling meaningful professional development and close engagement with high-level project strategy and delivery.

The practice operates from modern offices in the North and Midlands, offering a dynamic and supportive working environment where professional growth is actively encouraged.

Requirements

• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
• Minimum eight years’ post-qualification experience
• Consultancy or commercially focused background preferred
• Strong technical knowledge of the UK planning system
• Proven track record of delivering planning permissions across varied sectors
• Experience undertaking complex negotiations with stakeholders
• Strong client-facing and business development capabilities
• Demonstrable team leadership and mentoring experience
• Effective project and resource management skills
• Full UK driving licence (preferred)

What’s on Offer

• Competitive remuneration package
• Opportunity to help lead and grow a regional presence
• Autonomy with the support of experienced Directors
• Strong pipeline of high-quality projects
• Clear pathway for further progression
• Supportive, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture

How to Apply

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Associate Director seeking to push their career to the next level within an established, busy and respected consultancy.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Matt Fraser directly.