Senior Planner

📍 East Midlands (Hybrid Working)
💼 Interim - 6 Months+ | Senior Level
💰 Competitive Day Rate

We are supporting the recruitment of a Senior Planner to join a forward-thinking, regional organisation driving long-term economic growth and place-making across the East Midlands.

This is a high-profile, strategic role where you'll play a key part in shaping the region's future - leading on spatial planning, major development programmes and policy that will have impact for decades to come.

As Senior Planner, you'll lead on the development and delivery of strategic planning programmes, including a flagship Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) spanning a 30-year horizon.

You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, working across complex stakeholder environments to influence outcomes, remove barriers and drive progress on significant regional priorities.

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic spatial planning workstreams
• Manage and contribute to high-value growth programmes (£100m+)
• Represent planning positions at examinations in public and formal proceedings
• Develop business cases, investment proposals and evidence bases
• Commission and manage consultants across planning and technical areas
• Engage with and influence senior stakeholders across government, local authorities, and development partners
• Contribute to strategic decision-making through high-quality reports, policy, and briefings
• Support leadership and provide oversight of junior team members

We're looking for an experienced planning professional who can combine strategic thinking with delivery capability.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in spatial planning / planning policy / local plan development
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and national policy (NPPF)
• Experience with examinations in public, planning inquiries, or similar processes
• Proven track record of managing complex programmes and competing priorities
• Experience developing business cases, funding bids or investment proposals
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to operate confidently in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

✅ Experience in a local authority or public sector setting is highly desirable

• Degree in Planning (or related discipline)
• MRTPI qualified (or eligible)
• Evidence of continuous professional development

• Play a key role in shaping the long-term future of a major UK region
• Work on high-impact, strategic programmes with real visibility
• Collaborate with senior leaders, policymakers and delivery partners
• Join an organisation with a strong focus on innovation, growth and regional impact
• Hybrid working and flexible environment

If you're looking for a role where you can move beyond day-to-day planning and truly influence scale, policy and long-term place-making, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.