Chartered Planner
Employer: DAC Planning
Location: We are based in Colchester and welcome a hybrid working style, with a balance of regular time in the office and home working to support collaboration and work-life balance. Our main priority is creating the right team, and location is therefore open to discussion.
Working hours: Part-time and full-time options
Salary: Competitive salary (commensurate with experience)
Closing date: Monday 27th July at 5pm
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Are you a passionate and talented chartered town planner looking for your next challenge? Do you want to work on interesting and high-profile projects that make a genuine difference to communities across the country? Whether you are at the beginning of your professional career or an experienced planner seeking your next challenge, we would like to hear from you.
DAC Planning is a professional planning consultancy dedicated to providing expert planning advice and support to local authorities, local communities and public sector bodies nationally. We combine our deep experience in local government with our consultancy expertise — because we understand how planning works in practice.
We are proud holders of the RTPI Excellence in Digital Planning Award (2025) and the RTPI Small Planning Consultancy of the Year (East of England) Award (2023). We are a friendly, dedicated and ambitious team, united by a shared passion for the plan-led planning system and the communities we serve.
We are now looking to appoint an experienced chartered planner to join us. Depending on your skills and experience, this role could be at Planner, Senior Planner, Principal Planner, even Associate level. We are seeking the right person rather than recruiting to a fixed level.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing consultancy at a pivotal time. You will work on a diverse range of projects for clients nationally, contributing to work that shapes communities and supports the delivery of sustainable development. Projects you could be involved in include:
Local Plan production and examination support, including policy drafting, evidence base work, project management and consultation
Infrastructure planning and Infrastructure Delivery Plans
Developer contributions, CIL and S106 advice
Development management support to local planning authorities on high profile schemes of strategic importance
Training delivery through The Planning Academy, our dedicated training service
Neighbourhood Plan support, from inception through to examination
Research projects
Planning appeals and expert witness support
The role can be shaped around the strengths and experience of the successful candidate, and we welcome further expertise in our existing project areas and actively encourage candidates to pursue new projects aligned with their interests and skills.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities, please refer to the job descriptions below.
📄 Download Job Description - Planner
📄 Download Job Description - Senior Planner
📄 Download Job Description - Principal Planner
📄 Download Job Description - Associate
About You
We are flexible on the level at which we appoint, and we are open to candidates across a range of experience levels.
Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our values and our passion for the work we do. You will:
Hold RTPI chartered status
Have a proven track record of delivering high-quality planning work
Be an excellent communicator with strong written and verbal skills
Have good political and commercial acumen
Be self-motivated, organised and able to manage your own workload
Be a collaborative team player with high personal standards
Ideally have experience in planning policy and/or Local Plan work, though we welcome a range of planning backgrounds
Location
We are based in Colchester and welcome a hybrid working style, with a balance of regular time in the office and home working to support collaboration and work-life balance. Our main priority is creating the right team, and location is therefore open to discussion.
What We Offer
In addition to a competitive salary (commensurate with experience) and pension contribution, DAC Planning offers:
Flexible working arrangements including flexible hours, part-time and full-time options
25 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
Health and wellness benefits including life insurance, an Employee Assistance Programme and a virtual GP
Clear progression path, with support to develop your role and responsibilities and to develop specialist expertise
Ongoing CPD opportunities including attendance at national conferences
A supportive and friendly working culture with regular team catch ups and social activities
RTPI subscription fees paid
The opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of the business
Volunteering opportunities at Jordan's Farm, a local rewilding project
The closing date for applications is Monday 27th July at 5pm.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Vicki Willis or Nicki Faulkner on admin@dacplanning.com or 01206 688103.
DAC Planning is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that all employees and job applicants receive equal treatment regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We believe that diversity and inclusion make us a stronger, more innovative organisation and we actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
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About DAC Planning
We are a dedicated and passionate group of chartered town planners committed to shaping the future of our communities. With a blend of expertise in planning policy and development management, our team brings a friendly and highly effective approach to every project we undertake.
We thrive on collaboration, working closely with local authorities, stakeholders and residents to craft innovative and practical solutions that enhance the quality of life for everyone.
