Job Description
Job Title: Principal Town Planner
Location: Northampton
About the Company
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading multidisciplinary land and property consultancy with offices across the Midlands.
The business delivers a wide range of services including planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation, and business consultancy, helping clients maximise the value and potential of their assets.
You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary development team made up of planners, engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, and architects. The organisation offers the ideal balance between scale and agility - large enough to deliver diverse, high-quality projects, yet small enough to provide autonomy, visibility, and genuine cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Due to strategic growth within the Kettering office, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Planning Consultant to help establish and expand the planning and development presence across Northamptonshire.
The Role
This is a senior-level position combining strategic leadership, business development, and hands-on planning consultancy delivery. You will act as a key figure within the Kettering office, driving growth, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing market presence.
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Delivery
* Act as the lead planning expert within the Kettering office
* Deliver planning consultancy services across a variety of sectors
* Provide both general and strategic planning advice to clients
* Coordinate and prepare planning applications with internal teams
* Manage post-planning negotiations, appeals, and related processes
* Oversee development lifecycle stages including technical design, procurement, and construction-phase input
* Lead multidisciplinary project teams, managing delivery, risk, and programme performance
* Support and mentor junior team members to develop technical capability
Strategic & Business Development
* Drive growth of the planning and development offer across Northamptonshire
* Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, landowners, promoters, and agents
* Cross-sell complementary services including land promotion, valuation, and agency work
* Increase brand awareness and generate new instructions
* Identify opportunities to diversify services and expand into new markets
* Improve operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability
* Strengthen integration across the wider service offering
About You
We are seeking an experienced planning professional with strong leadership and commercial capability.
Essential Requirements
* MRTPI qualified (or equivalent)
* Proven experience in planning consultancy and development-led work
* Track record of business development, networking, or team growth
* Strong understanding of the full development process
* Experience in post-planning, technical design, and project delivery
* Excellent project management and coordination skills
* Full UK driving licence
Personal Attributes
* Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail
* Confident decision-maker and problem solver
* Strong communicator and relationship builder
* Commercially aware and growth-focused
* Resilient, adaptable, and proactive
* Passion for innovation and continuous improvement
Benefits
* Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
* Private healthcare (BUPA)
* 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
* Additional birthday day off
* Extra holiday for long service
* Discretionary bonus scheme
* Enhanced pension scheme (NEST)
* Professional membership fees paid + CPD support
* Employee Assistance Programme + health plan + flu jab
* Agile and flexible working culture
* EV and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes
Interested?
The hiring manager is looking to meet suitable candidates ASAP. If you meet the above criteria, please contact Josh Jones on or email