Head of London Planning

Bidwells' award-winning planning team is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as our Head of London Planning. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of planning in one of the world's most dynamic cities. You will lead our talented team of 8 planners, driving growth and innovation while delivering outstanding results for our clients. Your expertise will help shape the cityscape and contribute to the sustainable development of London. As a department, our 65 strong planning team are making significant strides in Cambridge and Oxford, working on numerous high-profile, integral projects. Whilst our London team is already successful, stable, and profitable, we have identified it as a key area for development as part of our 2030 growth strategy. We're looking for an experienced and inspirational leader to guide, shape, and drive the team forward. This new role will form part of our planning senior management team and will involve leading our current team with the potential to develop and expand the department in the future. The London Planning Team sits along Heritage and Social Economics & Social Value and forms a total Planning Team of 14 in London. The London Office houses market leading teams within Project Management, Capital Markets and Energy & Renewables which provides a thriving cross-Departmental trade. Bidwells is one of the UK's leading property consultancies, with a proud heritage and a forward-thinking approach. We specialise in creating and delivering the best property solutions, focusing on innovation and sustainable growth. Our team thrives on collaboration, professionalism, and excellence, making a real difference for our clients across the UK and beyond. We recently achieved BCorp accreditation and continue to operate as an independent partnership. We take pride in doing things differently, we’re not a PLC and we’re proud of that. Your voice will always be heard and your opinion is always valued.Key Responsibilities:Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of planners and consultants, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.Business Development: Identify new business opportunities and cultivate partnerships to expand our market presence.Strategy: Develop and implement strategic plans to grow our planning business in London, aligning with Bidwells’ overall vision and goals.Client Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, providing expert advice and tailored solutions to meet their needs.Planning Oversight: Oversee major planning schemes from inception to completion.Innovation: Champion innovative practices and sustainable solutions in planning.Qualifications and Experience:Proven experience in an Executive level Planning role, ideally within a consultancy environment including a recognised profile in London.Strong understanding of the London planning landscape, including regulatory frameworks and market trends.Excellent leadership and team management skills.Demonstrable success in business development and client relationship management.Exceptional communication and negotiation abilities.Relevant degree and professional qualifications (RTPI) in planning or a related field.Why Bidwells?At Bidwells, we offer more than just a job. We provide a platform for growth, a supportive and dynamic working environment, and the opportunity to work on impactful projects. Our commitment to personal and professional development ensures that you will continue to evolve as a leader in your field.What's in it for you?Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group bonus schemeComprehensive Benefits: Including up to 8% matched pension, private medical, medicash plan, paid professional memberships, your birthday off work and lifestyle discounts and perksProfessional Development: Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunitiesInnovative Culture: Be part of a forward-thinking team at the forefront of industry trends Family Friendly: We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one. Agencies: Bidwells does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be responsible for related fees.