Planning Director

Location & Employment

London, United Kingdom | Full‑time, Permanent

Overview

A privately held UK property investment and development business is seeking a Planning Director to lead planning strategy and delivery across a diverse national portfolio.

The group manages assets across commercial, residential, mixed‑use, hospitality, and alternative sectors, with a strong track record of value creation through active asset management, redevelopment, and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and implement planning strategy across the portfolio, identify opportunities to unlock value, and anticipate planning policy and market changes.
• Commercial & Investment Support: Provide planning input to acquisitions, due diligence, repositioning, feasibility studies, design briefs, and appraisals.
• Planning Execution: Lead planning applications, pre‑application discussions, appeals, and negotiations. Manage external consultant teams and ensure submissions are aligned with commercial objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, statutory bodies, and other key stakeholders. Represent the business at committees, consultations, and public forums.
• Internal Collaboration: Partner with development, investment, and asset teams. Provide internal guidance, mentor colleagues, and contribute to strategic and capital decision-making.
• MRTPI qualified with extensive post‑qualification experience.
• Proven success in securing planning consents for complex schemes, particularly in London and the South East.
• Strong understanding of London planning policy, GLA procedures, and emerging trends.
• Experience advising investors, developers, or major landowners.
• Commercially astute with the ability to assess viability and balance planning ambition with financial outcomes.
• Confident communicator and negotiator with senior‑level stakeholder engagement experience.
• Pragmatic, solution‑oriented, and capable of leading both strategy and delivery.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification with extensive post‑qualification experience.
• Proven success securing planning consents for complex schemes, especially in London and the South East.
• Strong grasp of London planning policy, GLA procedures, emerging trends.
• Experience advising investors, developers, or major landowners.
• Commercial acumen in assessing viability and balancing planning ambition with financial outcomes.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills at senior level.
• Pragmatic, solution‑oriented, leading strategy and delivery.

Contact

For a confidential discussion, please contact: Daniah Williams /