Senior Planning Consultant

Position: Senior Planning Consultant (Permanent)
Job Title:

Senior Planning Consultant

Location:

Birmingham (Agile Working)

Employment Type:

Full-time
Department:
Professional Services

The Role

An award-winning, market-leading specialist consultancy is seeking a Senior Planning Consultant to join its expanding Professional Services Team due to sustained growth.

Based in Birmingham, the role operates under an Agile Working Policy, requiring attendance at the Birmingham office as business needs dictate, alongside flexibility to work outside traditional office hours when required.

Reporting to a Principal Planning Consultant, you will play a key role in delivering specialist planning services to planning professionals, developers, local planning authorities, applicants, and members of the public. A significant aspect of the role involves providing expert advice via a national online planning platform.

Key Responsibilities

Providing online and remote planning advice on general and complex planning matters
Supporting the wider Planning Services Team by responding to planning queries
Preparing for and contributing to customer meetings through policy and planning history research
Producing high-quality written summaries, planning consultancy reports, and recommendations
Completing delegated and committee planning application reports in line with KPIs, including:
Household extensions
Lawful Development Certificates
Prior Notifications
Advertisement Consents
Changes of Use
Preparing planning application documentation and supporting submissions, including site visits where required
Communicating and negotiating effectively with applicants, agents, and stakeholders
Providing post-decision and post-refusal advice
Using internal systems to record application progress, site visits, and evaluations
Maintaining customer enquiry databases in line with performance targets
Attending monthly team meetings and weekly one-to-one case conferences
Undertaking peer and management quality reviews of planning reports
Supporting team members through technical guidance, performance monitoring, and case reviews
Contributing planning expertise to business development activities
Maintaining a "right first time" approach, ensuring high standards of quality, productivity, and efficiency
Meeting daily, weekly, and monthly production targets
Undertaking additional duties appropriate to the role and grade

What We're Looking For

A relevant BA degree or equivalent RTPI-accredited planning qualification
Minimum 2 years' experience within a Local Planning Authority, private consultancy, or a combination of both
Strong technical planning knowledge with the ability to assess proposals against local, regional, and national policy
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence advising professionals and the public
Proven ability to manage competing priorities and work to strict deadlines in a production-led environment
High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and quality
Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills
Commitment to continuing professional development and staying up to date with planning policy changes

Desirable:

Experience providing guidance or leadership within a planning team
Eligibility for RTPI membership
Full UK driving licence

Why Apply?

Competitive salary
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
Pension scheme, life assurance, and employee assistance programme
Enhanced family-friendly policies
Genuine flexibility through an Agile Working approach
Strong emphasis on training, development, and career progression
Supportive, inclusive, and people-focused working culture

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP so if you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on (phone number removed) or (url removed)