Associate Director

Posted 02 February 2026
Salary £58k - 68k per year
LocationCambridge
Job type Permanent - Full Time
Discipline Town Planning
ReferenceJO0000064152

Job description

Associate / Associate Director - Town Planning
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

An established and highly regarded planning consultancy in Cambridge is looking to appoint an experienced Associate or Associate Director Town Planner to support the continued growth of its regional planning team.

This role offers the opportunity to work on some of the most significant and high-profile development projects across the region, within a collaborative consultancy environment that values technical excellence, commercial awareness and career progression.

The Opportunity
The Cambridge planning team provides commercial planning advice to a broad private-sector client base, supporting development proposals from early strategy through to determination and delivery. Projects span a diverse portfolio, including:
·City centre regeneration and tall buildings
·Strategic housing and land promotion
·Town centre repurposing and retail development
·Sports, leisure and logistics schemes
·Major business parks, infrastructure and energy projects
·Listed building reuse and heritage-led development

The team is proud to be involved in many of the region's largest and most complex schemes.

The Role
This position would suit an experienced planning professional who enjoys leading projects, managing client relationships and contributing to business growth. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality planning advice while supporting and mentoring junior colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:
·Providing strategic and detailed planning advice at all stages of the development process
·Leading major planning applications, appeals, EIA and plan promotion work
·Managing multidisciplinary project teams, programmes and budgets
·Leading client meetings and managing key client relationships
·Supporting Directors on large, complex projects while running your own portfolio
·Collaborating with colleagues across disciplines to deliver integrated advice
·Leading tenders, framework bids and contributing to business development

About You
You will be an Associate or Associate Director level planner with strong consultancy experience and a proven track record of delivering complex planning projects.
You are likely to demonstrate:
·Extensive knowledge of the UK planning system, including EIA, examinations in public, appeals and major development management
·Experience leading negotiations with planning authorities and key stakeholders
·Strong client management and business development capability
·A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach
·MRTPI qualification
·An ambition to grow into (or further develop within) a leadership role

An existing network of contacts across East Anglia would be advantageous, though not essential.

If you are interested, please do apply with your CV or you can reach me on 02393 876 054 / ashleigh.waterhouse@carringtonwest.com to discuss the role further.

Reference - 64152