Principal Planner - Norfolk
Salary/Rate:£50,000 - £65,000 per annum + Healthcare, pension, holidays
Job Type:Hybrid
Contract Type:Perm
Town/City:Thetford
County:Norfolk
Sector:Land and Planning
Job ref:JN -052025-83767_1748938241
Post Date:03. 06. 2025
Scroll
Meet Our Recruiter
Sue Greeff
Candidate Manager - Residential development, town planning, infrastructure and renewables
About the Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planner to lead and shape planning strategies across a diverse range of infrastructure and utility-based projects. You'll manage a variety of developments-from feasibility to application-across sectors such as energy, water, and transport. This role blends technical planning expertise with team leadership and strategic client engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead or manage a small team delivering planning services across sensitive and complex sites
- Oversee screening, scoping, and coordination of planning applications and technical reports
- Act as a key client contact and stakeholder liaison, including local authorities and technical experts
- Provide strategic input on feasibility studies and cross-discipline planning solutions
- Mentor junior planners, manage performance, and promote team development
- Support business development by identifying new opportunities and supporting bids
- Ensure all work complies with planning legislation, policy, and organisational standards
- Participate in internal initiatives, social events, and wider business engagement
What You'll Bring
- Degree in Planning or related subject
- Chartered RTPI membership
- Strong communication and report-writing skills
- Proven experience preparing and reviewing fee proposals and planning applications
- Commercially aware, confident in stakeholder engagement and negotiations
- Knowledge of GIS and understanding of environmental disciplines is a plus
- Self-motivated, organised, and able to work both independently and within a team
- Full UK driving licence
Salary & Benefits
- £50,000 - £65,000 depending on experience + annual performance bonus
- 25 days holiday + 1 additional day for your birthday
- Vitality Health Membership: private healthcare, gym discounts, wellness support
- Flexible working policy to support your work/life balance
- Pension scheme and life insurance (4x salary)
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to work scheme and free parking at non-city offices
- Company-wide events and regular social gatherings
Why Apply?
- Take the lead on nationally significant infrastructure projects
- Help shape a growing planning team in a collaborative, supportive environment
- Gain visibility and influence across multi-disciplinary projects
- Enjoy strong career development, flexible working, and a culture that values people first
When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via sgreeff@cobaltrecruitment.com
More jobs from this recruiter
View AllSenior to Associate Planner
Bristol City Centre
Bristol
£40,000 - £60,000 per annum + Healthcare, pension, holidays
Are you a talented and driven Town Planner eager to advance your career in the heart of Bristol's vibrant urban landscape? Do you have a passion for shaping sustainable and dynamic communities? If so, we invite you to explore an exciting career opportunity with our client.
Senior - Principal Ecologist
Southampton
Hampshire
£50,000 - £65,000 per annum + Healthcare, pension, holidays
An excellent opportunity for a skilled ecologist to take a leading role within a growing team focused on nature-based solutions and biodiversity integration. This is a chance to work on a wide variety of environmental projects spanning all stages of the development cycle-from concept to delivery-making a real difference for both people and nature.
Senior to Principal Ecologist
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
£45,000 - £55,000 per annum + Healthcare, pension, holidays
Cobalt has an exciting opportunity for a dedicated ecology professional eager to grow with a young, ambitious company. The role involves managing a developing team and working on a range of ecology projects across the UK, primarily in the Home Counties, South, and Midlands. A company that values individuals who are passionate about ecology and looking to shape the future of a thriving business.
Ecology Associate Director
Birmingham
West Midlands
£60,000 - £70,000 per annum + Healthcare, pension, holidays
A rare opportunity to lead and grow a regional ecology team within a well-established, multi-disciplinary consultancy. You'll be at the forefront of delivering strategic environmental advice on high-profile projects including mixed-use developments, major infrastructure, and property-led schemes.
This role combines technical leadership, business development, and people management-ideal for a seasoned ecologist ready to step into a senior strategic position.