Potensis
Town Planner - Client side role.
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Town Planner - Client side role.
Town Planner – Award-Winning Property Developer (South East of England)
Delivered by Potensis Selection
An exciting opportunity has arisen at one of the South East’s most highly regarded property developers, with 50 years of delivering sustainability and place-led residential and mixed-use developments. With a continued commitment to expansion, they are seeking an ambitious Town Planner to join their land and planning team, reporting directly to the Land/Planning Director.
About the Role
This role offers a challenging and dynamic environment for a commercially astute Town Planner to advise on strategic and development control planning across a range of residential and mixed-use projects. You will align your planning expertise with land acquisition strategies, commercial decision-making, and the delivery of sales completions against business forecasts.
The perfect candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to negotiate effectively with landowners, local authorities, and stakeholders – ensuring projects are commercially viable and achievable within deadlines.
Key Responsibilities
Planning Strategy & Advice
- Provide daily planning support to land teams, specialising in residential and mixed-use developments
- Identify potential development sites based on current and future planning policies, advising divisional land teams accordingly
- Promote sites through Local Plan systems, updating landowners, agents, and senior management on progress
Risk Assessment & Strategy Formulation
- Conduct shared risk assessments on land acquisitions, highlighting planning and commercial hazards
- Develop tailored planning strategies to achieve fast-track approvals while maximising commercial returns
- Ensure alignment with business forecasting to confirm sales timelines and deadlines
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Application Preparation & Submission
- Draft detailed planning reports and application submissions, including:
- Scoping & Environmental Screening Opinions
- Website planning consultation materials
- Technical evidence packages
- Prepare and submit planning applications with proper conditions to ensure legal robustness and streamlined authority processing
- Attend Planning Committee meetings and public consultations to represent the company
Stakeholder Engagement & Negotiation
- Negotiate with landowners, councils, and communities on development proposals, ensuring commercial viability and planning consent
- Collaborate on Section 106 agreements, aligning with company policies and explaining commercial implications to the division
- Advise on S106 planning gain solutions that support project delivery
Financial & Project Management
- Generate budgets and account for planning/appeal expenditures (including consultant fees)
- Oversee cost controls to deliver new properties within financial targets
Experience, Qualifications & Skills
Education & Licensing
- Relevant Town Planning Degree (essential)
- RTPI or RICS membership (desirable) – demonstrating professional accreditation and industry validation
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Experience Criteria
- Practical experience in applying, submitting, and managing planning applications (whether via consultancy, public sector, or client-side)
- Proven track record in negotiating with developers, landowners, and authorities to secure consent efficiently
Soft Skills & Attitude
- Self-motivated and ambitious – eager to progress within a high-growth property business
- Excellent communication with stakeholders, managing directors, and officials
- Strong analytical ability – interpreting policy guidance and market trends
- Team-oriented – collaborating effectively with land teams, legal, and design departments
Why Join Us?
This role offers exceptional career development within a well-established, respected property entity – an ideal step for those looking to quickly advance in town planning, supported by: ✅ Clear, long-term career growth within a Land & Planning Directorate ✅ Key involvement in projects across the South East (high calibre, sustainable, place-led development) ✅ Challenging, impactful work – ensuring new homes and mixed-use developments are conformant, fast-tracked, and commercially sound
Potensis Selection are partnering with this leading developer to find a strategic, resilient Town Planner who is ready to make an immediate impact.
Applications are welcome via Potensis Selection – current openings supported by their executive headhunting expertise.
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