Director – Town Planning
Location: Cardiff or Bristol (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £70,000 – £85,000

A leading consultancy is seeking an experienced Director-level Town Planner to join its established team in either their Cardiff or Bristol office. This is a senior leadership role suited to a commercially minded planner who can drive fee-earning activity, lead a high-performing team, and play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment.

The team delivers a diverse portfolio of impactful projects — including new residential communities, healthcare facilities, educational buildings, and significant regeneration schemes. They also support the transition of the energy sector, contributing to projects that will shape future infrastructure.

The Role

This Director-level position offers the opportunity to lead and develop a high-performing planning team while contributing strategically to the wider consultancy. The successful candidate will oversee major projects, cultivate strong client relationships and ensure the effective delivery of planning services. A strong commercial focus, including demonstrable experience in fee-earning and financial performance, is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading, mentoring and developing a team of planners
• Managing and delivering complex planning projects across a range of sectors
• Driving income generation, including forecasting, budgeting and achieving financial targets
• Building and nurturing long-lasting client relationships
• Overseeing planning applications, strategic reports, assessments and appeals
• Providing expert planning advice within a multi-disciplinary design environment
• Supporting business development, including proposals and networking
• Contributing to the strategic leadership and operational direction of the planning function

About You

The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership capability with commercial acumen and extensive planning expertise. They will be confident, strategic and able to inspire and guide a team through complex planning challenges while maintaining high professional standards.

Essential Requirements

• MRTPI chartered status
• Significant experience in town planning at senior or director level
• Proven track record in fee-earning and achieving commercial targets
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Experience delivering complex, high-profile development projects
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation abilities
• A collaborative approach within a multi-disciplinary setting

Why Join

This role offers the chance to take a senior position within a forward-thinking consultancy known for its design-led, collaborative approach. You’ll help shape major projects, influence team culture and enjoy the autonomy to lead the planning function within a supportive, creative environment.

If you are interested in this Director of Planning position, please email callum.jones@aztrum.com or call Callum on 0208 164 5915.