Cognisant Search is seeking a Planner or Senior Planner to join a well‑established, financially strong business, supporting the delivery of major strategic land projects across London and the South East.
This role is open to graduates or early‑career planners with up to 1–3 years’ experience providing hands‑on exposure to complex, high‑value sites. It is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into how land is promoted, allocated, and prepared for delivery, while learning from experienced teams and contributing to decision‑making from day one.
About the Role
You will be part of a planning team that supports the full lifecycle of strategic land projects. The role combines practical programme management, technical planning, and early‑stage site promotion, offering a strong foundation for career progression in planning.
* Support the preparation and ongoing management of project programmes across strategic land and mixed‑use schemes, learning how programmes drive project delivery and decision‑making
* Work closely with project and technical teams to understand sequencing, constraints, and delivery requirements, building insight into the full planning process
* Assist with reporting, progress updates, and milestone tracking, developing an understanding of how planning informs commercial and operational outcomes
* Contribute to programme reviews, planning submissions, and early‑stage site promotion activities, gaining exposure to both technical and strategic aspects of land development
* Gain practical experience with planning tools, software, and methodologies, applied to live strategic land projects
* Work alongside senior planners and multidisciplinary teams, receiving mentorship and building a foundation for long‑term career growth
Candidate Profile
* Degree‑qualified (or equivalent) in planning, construction, engineering, or a related field
* Qualified planner (e.g., RTPI accredited) or 1–3 years’ post‑graduate experience in town planning, consultancy, local authority, education, or developer environments
* Interest in strategic land, plan‑making, and project delivery
* Strong communication skills with a proactive, problem‑solving mindset
* Curious, motivated, and eager to learn from experienced professionals
What’s on Offer
* Structured development and mentoring within an established planning function
* Exposure to strategic land and complex residential or mixed‑use projects
* Insight into planning, promotion, and programme management across long‑term development opportunities
* Opportunity to contribute to early‑stage land promotion and strategic decision‑making
* Clear progression pathway into Planning Management roles in the short term.
Contact
For a confidential discussion or to request further information, please contact: Dan Petrie, Principal Consultant, Cognisant dan.petrie@cognisantsearch.com 07487 795148
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