Senior Planner or Asoociate Planner - Reading
Senior Town Planner (Associate-level considered) – Reading
Employer: Our client — a leading national planning & property consultancy
Location: Reading (Thames Valley) | Hybrid
Shape the Thames Valley growth story.
Our client is seeking a talented Senior Town Planner—with scope to appoint at Associate level for the right candidate—to join their high-performing Reading team. You’ll lead on complex planning work across residential, mixed-use, commercial, logistics and regeneration, partnering with blue-chip developers, investors and public sector bodies across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and the wider South East.
The opportunity
Impactful portfolio: Prepare and manage planning applications, appeals, planning strategies and development plan representations for high-profile schemes.
Client exposure: Work directly with major private and public clients, advising from early feasibility through to permission and delivery.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration: Coordinate inputs from design, transport, environmental and heritage specialists to build robust cases.
Career platform: Clear progression, visibility with senior clients and the chance to mentor juniors and shape team best practice.
What you’ll do
Lead and coordinate applications (outline/full), pre-apps, EIA screening/scoping (as applicable) and appeal submissions.
Undertake site appraisals, due diligence and risk/mitigation strategies.
Draft high-quality reports, statements and committee-facing material.
Engage with LPAs and stakeholders to negotiate positive outcomes (S106/CIL familiarity welcomed).
Contribute to thought leadership, proposals and business development across the Thames Valley.
What you’ll bring
Qualifications: MRTPI (or very close to submission) and a strong academic foundation in planning or related discipline.
Experience: Typically 3–6+ years for Senior, 6–8+ for Associate consideration, with a track record on mixed-use/urban and strategic sites.
Skills: Excellent writing, analysis and presentation; confident in client meetings; strong project management across competing deadlines.
Commercial mindset: Comfortable shaping scopes/fees and supporting bids; collaborative, supportive team player.
What’s on offer
Competitive salary with bonus potential and comprehensive benefits.
Hybrid working and a supportive, people-centred culture.
National platform, local impact: Access to a wide client network and high-quality internal specialists.
CPD & progression: Structured development, mentoring and clear pathways to the next grade.
If your profile aligns, we’ll be in touch to arrange next steps at a convenient time.
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