Head of Planning (Director)

We're hiring a Head of Planning to lead and grow Hive's Planning team. This is a critical senior appointment as we scale toward our 2030 ambition: to become one of the UK's largest independent planning, development and socio economics consultancies.

Hive has just been named Insider North West Property Consultancy of the Year 2026 (and shortlisted for the forthcoming RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence). We advise on some of the region's most significant large-scale and transformational residential led regeneration and new settlement schemes - various Garden Villages/New Settlements, Cotton Works Wigan, Mayoral Development Zones and the Barrow Housing Delivery Strategy among them.

Our work is partnership led and collaborative. We work alongside local authorities, developers, landowners and public sector partners to help turn complex plans into deliverable places - and we expect the person leading our Planning team to do the same.

The package

• Base salary £75k-£95k DOE
• Performance bonus
• Route to equity / profit share for the right person
• 25 days' annual leave + birthday off + Christmas closure
• Hybrid working from our Manchester City Centre fringe office (Salford)
• Comprehensive pension and benefits

What you'll do

• Lead, grow and develop the Planning team
• Own the Planning service line end to end
• Lead delivery on Hive's largest residential and mixed use instructions
• Develop existing client and partner relationships, and build new ones, through a collaborative, partnership focused approach
• Sit at the senior leadership table and help shape Hive's next phase

What we need from you

• MRTPI chartered
• 10+ years post qualification experience
• Consultancy experience somewhere in your career (you understand fee earning, utilisation, BD and client facing delivery)
• A track record on large scale residential and mixed use schemes - strategic sites, urban extensions, garden villages / new settlements, urban regeneration, volume housebuilder portfolios or major RP/affordable schemes
• Demonstrable experience acting for both public sector clients (LPAs, Homes England, Combined Authorities, RPs) and private sector clients (housebuilders, land promoters, developers, investors)
• A collaborative, partnership led mindset - comfortable working alongside clients and co consultants,
• Evidence of leading teams (internal and external). You don't need the "Head of Planning" job title today, we're keen to hear from those ready to step up
• UK right to work

Strongly preferred

Currently Associate Director, Director, Principal or equivalent in a planning consultancy (or someone with such a position in their recent past). Visible sector profile - speaker slots, awards shortlists, sector body involvement.

Location

Based anywhere within sensible commuting distance of Manchester (NW, NE, Yorkshire, North Midlands) or willing to relocate. Project work is UK wide; the team is Manchester centred.

How to apply

This is a senior, confidential hire. Get in touch directly with Mark Vaughan () or Stuart Sage () for a discreet first conversation. All enquiries handled in strict confidence.