Associate Director - Manchester (2025)

Lichfields; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent planning consultancy in Manchester is looking for an Associate Director to lead planning projects and advise clients. The role requires chartered membership of the RTPI and over 5 years of experience in the field. Candidates must show strong technical skills and excel in communication and client-facing situations. This position offers competitive rewards and a supportive work environment with a focus on professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Profit-sharing bonus scheme

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work-life balance

Supportive and collaborative culture

Qualifications

• Chartered member of the RTPI required.
• 5+ years experience in planning consultancy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and workloads.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on planning applications and strategies.
• Conduct site appraisals and environmental assessments.
• Develop relationships to win new work and repeat business.

Skills

Technical competency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing skills

Education

Chartered membership of the RTPI

5+ years post-qualification experience

Job description

Associate Director Opportunity in our Manchester office.

Are you a highly motivated planner eager to embark on a career in a thriving and independent staff‑owned planning and development consultancy?

We are seeking an Associate Director who shares our passion for shaping the most exciting projects across the UK. We were named Consultancy Practice of the Year at the 2023 RESI Awards and are honoured to be one of the 'Best Places to Work in Property' by Property Week magazine.

Why Join Lichfields?

• Dynamic Environment – You will be at the forefront of advising major clients on a diverse range of projects, taking on significant responsibilities right from the start and making a real difference. These projects span a range of sectors and industries including major residential and commercial developments.
• Competitive Rewards – Your hard work and dedication will be well‑rewarded, both financially and in career growth. We offer a highly competitive salary and profit‑sharing bonus scheme for all staff.
• Supportive Culture – At Lichfields, we foster a supportive and collaborative culture where we take care of one another and have a busy calendar of staff and client social events.
• Flexibility and Inclusivity – We prioritise flexibility and work‑life balance and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds to apply. As part of the Government's Disability Confident Committed Employer scheme, we actively support candidates with disabilities.
• Professional Development – This is a multi‑faceted role comprising various duties, including preparing planning applications and appeals; site appraisals; planning strategies; and development plan representations. You will provide advice and guidance on planning and land use to a variety of clients including leading developers, housebuilders and investment institutions as well as local planning authorities and other public or third sector organisations, throughout all stages of the planning process including Environmental Impact Assessments. For those still working to become a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) within the Planning and Development field, we aim to accelerate your progress with the support of our dedicated MENTOR scheme.

Lichfields is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, marital status, or any other protected characteristics. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

We expect all candidates to have chartered membership of the RTPI and 5+ years post‑qualification experience. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a very high level of technical competency, and quality of work, carried out with minimal supervision, together with good analytical, communication, interpersonal, and writing skills. The role will require working on a number of projects, so a proven ability to manage your own time and workload within budgets, and ability to problem‑solve is critical. You will also have market credibility with a proven ability to win new work and clients, and nurture existing client relationships to win repeat business.

How to Apply

If you want to join Lichfields, please click ‘apply for this job online’ where you will need to upload your recent CV and a cover letter. Please provide full information about your education and professional qualifications, including attainment levels. If your application is successful, you will be invited for an interview at a time convenient to you.

If you are inspired by what we stand for as a business, and seek to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team at Lichfields!

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales
• Architecture and Planning