See our website for details on this Planning Director role - https://www.axiomplanning.co.uk/careers
The Planning Director is the most senior role in the business alongside the Managing Director. This is a genuinely influential leadership position, responsible for setting technical standards, shaping the direction of the practice, and helping guide Axiom Planning through its next phase of growth.
The role will suit a highly experienced planning professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong professional judgement, enjoys mentoring and inspiring others, and is motivated by the opportunity to shape both people and practice. While the role retains a hands-on technical element, it is fundamentally about leadership, quality, and strategic influence.
The Planning Director will work closely with the Managing Director, acting as a trusted counterpart and playing a key role in safeguarding the reputation, culture, and future of the firm.
This is a full-time position. Flexible and part-time working arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.
Technical Leadership & Quality Provide authoritative technical leadership across the most complex and sensitive planning projects undertaken by the practice, particularly within the rural environment and countryside dwellings.
Act as a senior professional reference point for the team, offering guidance on planning strategy, policy interpretation, risk, and judgement.
Set, maintain, and continually raise technical and professional standards across the business, including written outputs, advice quality, and strategic clarity.
Act as final technical reviewer and sign-off for high-risk, high-profile, or novel projects.
Lead on complex planning strategies, appeals, and negotiations where senior professional judgement is required.
Strategic & Practice Leadership Work closely with the Managing Director to help shape the strategic direction, positioning, and long-term growth of Axiom Planning.
Contribute to decisions around market focus, service development, and the types of work the firm pursues.
Support the evolution of internal systems, processes, and technical resources to ensure the firm operates efficiently and consistently at a high level.
Provide clear leadership to support the growth and development of the team, actively mentoring and guiding colleagues at all levels, and helping to embed a culture of shared learning, technical excellence, and professional confidence across the practice.
Represent Axiom Planning externally at senior-level meetings, inquiries, hearings, and industry forums, enhancing the firm’s professional profile.
Client Leadership & Business Development Act as a trusted adviser to key clients, particularly on complex, sensitive, or high-value commissions.
Lead and support client relationships where credibility, discretion, and professional authority are critical.
Contribute to business generation by helping identify, shape, and secure appropriate new work aligned with the firm’s strategic objectives.
Provide input into fee strategy and resourcing.
Inspire, mentor, and support team members at all levels, with a particular focus on developing senior staff and future leaders.
Foster a culture of excellence, clarity, professionalism, and pride in high-quality work.
Support performance development, progression, and succession planning within the team.
Act as a role model for professional conduct, judgement, and integrity, both internally and externally.
People Leadership & Culture Inspire, mentor, and support team members at all levels, with a particular focus on developing senior staff and future leaders.
Foster a culture of excellence, clarity, professionalism, and pride in high-quality work.
Support performance development, progression, and succession planning within the team.
Act as a role model for professional conduct, judgement, and integrity, both internally and externally.
Experience & Attributes
Extensive experience (typically 12–15+ years) in planning consultancy.
Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
A strong track record of leading technically complex and sensitive planning projects.
Deep understanding of planning policy and strategy, with the ability to interpret and apply it pragmatically and creatively.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a clear commitment to quality and clarity.
Experience mentoring and developing others, with a genuine interest in helping people grow.
Strong professional judgement, confidence in decision-making, and the ability to manage risk appropriately.
Commercial awareness and an understanding of how high-quality professional advice supports a successful consultancy.
We pride ourselves on being subject-matter experts and will support your continuous development. Our offices in Micheldever Station, Winchester, provide top-spec IT facilities and high-quality workspaces, enabling flexible working arrangements. We invest heavily in our team’s well-being, offering home-working options, flexi-time and benefits to support your wellbeing. While living within a commutable distance is desirable, it is not essential.
Why you’ll love working with us Competitive salary: For the right individual, we are open to shaping the overall package to reflect experience, leadership capability, and the value they bring to the business. We’re expecting this to sit broadly in the £70,000–£80,000 range, depending on experience.
Annual Bonus (performance linked)
RTPI membership fees paid
Private Pension
Private (comprehensive) Medical Cover
Holiday Entitlement - 33 days plus Bank Holidays and your birthday
Cinema Tickets (x2) every month
Enjoy cashback benefits from everyday shopping
Paid Sabbaticals
Flexi-Time
Team events / outings
You will receive a full suite of brand new IT equipment, including a class leading Apple MacBook, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone and External Monitor for home working. In the office, you’ll benefit from an electronic sit/stand desk, 40” curved monitor and unlimited free Nespresso coffee.
TO APPLY:
If you wish to discuss any part of this role, please contact Elizabeth Kestle (Operations Manager) to arrange a call/meeting, at elizabeth@axiomplanning.co.uk
To apply for the role, please email Elizabeth with a copy of your CV, and a covering letter outlining why you are suitable for the role.
The covering letter is an important part of the application and should demonstrate your professional approach, judgement, and alignment with the ethos of the practice.
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