Associate Director - Planning, Cambridge

Overview

Exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, commercially astute Regional Planning Director to lead and grow our planning presence in the Cambridge region. This is a senior appointment for a confident and experienced planning professional with a proven ability to win work, cultivate long-term client relationships, and drive high-quality planning outcomes across a wide range of sectors.

This opportunity is perfect for a planning professional who is already operating at a senior level or a strong mid-level consultant ready to step up into a more strategic and client-facing role. You will have significant autonomy to manage your own projects, lead client engagement, and play a critical part in the regional growth strategy, with the support of an established multi-disciplinary planning team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, submission and management of planning applications across sectors including energy (renewables, battery storage, EV, hydrogen), infrastructure, residential, and commercial developments.
• Maintain and expand relationships with local clients and consultants, using your network to generate and convert new business opportunities.
• Lead project teams and coordinate internal and external technical inputs on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Provide planning strategy and advice to clients across the entire project lifecycle.
• Deliver planning appraisals, policy research, feasibility reviews, and Local Plan representations.
• Represent clients at planning committees, appeals, and public consultations.
• Mentor and support junior team members as part of a collaborative and growing regional office.

What My Client is Looking For

• RTPI Chartered (or eligible) with at least 5 years of experience in planning consultancy or a similar private-sector environment.
• Demonstrable track record of business development, client relationship management and successful work winning.
• Strong understanding of planning policy and legislation in England.
• Experienced in managing complex planning applications and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and written skills, with the confidence to lead client meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement events.
• A collaborative team player, proactive and self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Why This Role?

• Be a key figure in the strategic growth of the Cambridge office with genuine leadership and progression opportunities.
• Join a highly experienced, supportive national planning team with access to a wide range of in-house technical expertise (EIA, environmental, transport, landscape, etc.).
• Enjoy a culture that values autonomy, creativity, and innovation - not just process.
• Competitive salary package, with performance-based incentives and flexible working options.
• Opportunities for further progression into a director role.

If this Regional Planning Director role is of interest to you, please get in touch