Senior Planner

Senior/Principal Town Planner

Salary: Circa £33k – 50k (Negotiable depending on experience and level)

Location: Swindon (Hybrid role with WFH)

Beach Baker is proud to exclusively partner with Squires Planning in recruiting an experienced Town Planner to join a friendly and successful team.

About the Company

Squires Planning is a dynamic and rapidly growing independent private Planning Consultancy founded in 2019. The founder, an industry-leading planner, recognised the need for flexibility and versatility in the planning sector, and established a company dedicated to delivering exceptional planning services across a diverse range of sectors, with a team of like-minded individuals who want to partake in quality driven and meaningful projects, with excellent resources and flexibility available to thrive inside and outside your Planning career.

With a strong foundation and extensive industry experience, this consultancy is poised for strategic growth with the goal of expanding the firm’s footprint across the UK. Currently operating from two branches, the head office is based in Crawley and most recently a new branch has been successfully established in Swindon; where due to the levels of success an opportunity has now arisen for a talented Senior/Principal Town Planner to work alongside the Director of Planning in further shaping and progressing the new branch.

The Role

Our client seeks an experienced Town Planner at the Senior level to support the Director of Planning for the Swindon branch in managing a diverse and impressive portfolio of projects. This hands-on role is ideal for someone around the Senior Planner level with a solid background in Town Planning and a drive to contribute to a new venture where further opportunity will be available.

For this particular role, you will be working alongside a one of the most reputable market leading Planning Directors with over 20 years of experience, who is eager to pass on their knowledge, experience, and support to help you advance your Town Planning career.

The company is also open to considering candidates up to the Associate level, provided they have a proven ability to win new work and will be happy to engage in hands-on project management whilst the team continues to expand.

Here, you will play an integral role in shaping the future of the company, with the freedom and autonomy to explore your ideas whilst being supported fully when needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and run planning projects independently.
• Collaborate and support various company projects.
• Assist the Director and provide mentorship to junior planners.
• Confidently engage in public inquiries and client interactions.
• For Principal/Associate -level candidates, demonstrate the ability to bring in new work while remaining involved in hands-on project tasks.

Projects & Sectors

The consultancy handles a diverse range of projects, ensuring a stimulating and varied work environment. Recent projects include:

• Commercial
• Residential
• Solar and wind farm projects
• Education
• Local authority and neighbourhood planning
• Manor house replacements and housebuilder schemes
• Various smaller, fast-paced projects

About You

The ideal candidate will likely have:

• Qualifications: Relevant planning degree or equivalent qualification.
• Professional Membership: Chartered membership of the RTPI (those working towards with sufficient levels of experience will also be considered).
• Experience: 3+ years of relevant UK-based experience in the public or private planning sector.
• Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, excellent project and client management abilities, and proficiency in producing well-written and presented documents.

Desirable:

• An existing client base or network of contacts.
• A Proven track record of winning new work and willingness to engage in hands-on project management while preparing the company for more team members.

Benefits

• Zero excess private healthcare: Full-time staff get Vitality healthcare, including optical and dental cover, and access to perks such as cinema tickets and free drinks at Café Nero.
• Paid For Socials: Attendance is optional, but everyone does come.
• Birthday Leave: Take your birthday off each year in addition to the normal annual leave entitlement.
• Christmas Shutdown: Enjoy up to two extra days off during Christmas in addition to normal annual leave entitlement.
• Funded Training/CPD: Ensuring you stay up-to-date.
• Company Credit Card: Available to avoid personal expenses for business purposes.
• Profit Share Scheme: When the company does well, so do you.
• Flexible Working Hours: Core hours from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for personal commitments.
• Hybrid Working Options: Emphasis on an outcomes-based work approach

At this firm, every employee's voice matters, with a culture that is underpinned by flexibility, collaboration, and support. Here, your ideas will be heard, your work will be valued and rewarded, and you will have the opportunity to work in an environment that drives quality, innovation, and authenticity in every endeavour.

How to Apply

Your application will be handled with the utmost confidentiality by Michael Holland. To be considered, please send your CV directly to and I will be in touch at the earliest opportunity.