The Arora Group Property division was set up in 2005 to provide a property and asset management service. It currently manages over £1.5 billion of property assets which includes operated hotels, a portfolio of externally leased hotels, offices and commercial spaces, as well as land holdings across London, major regional airports and the home counties.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Town Planner to join our growing property and development team. This role is ideal for a planning professional with 7–10 years of experience who can lead planning strategy across a diverse portfolio of residential, mixed-use, and commercial development projects.

Working within an independent property company environment, the successful candidate will play a key role in identifying development opportunities, managing planning applications, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting the delivery of high-quality developments from acquisition through to consent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage planning applications, appeals, and pre-application processes across multiple projects.
• Provide strategic planning advice to internal development, acquisitions, and asset management teams.
• Assess development opportunities and planning risks during site acquisition and feasibility stages.
• Prepare and coordinate planning submissions, including supporting consultants and technical reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, planning officers, consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor planning policy changes, local plans, and legislative updates relevant to the business portfolio.
• Represent the company at planning committees, public consultations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Manage external planning consultants and specialist advisors where required.
• Support junior team members through mentoring and technical guidance.
• Contribute to the overall growth strategy of the business through proactive planning insight and market awareness.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree qualified in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, or a related discipline.
• MRTPI qualified (or working towards accreditation).
• 7–10 years of relevant professional planning experience, ideally within a property developer, consultancy, or client-side environment.
• Strong knowledge of local and national planning policy and development processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex planning applications and stakeholder engagement.
• Commercially aware with a practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and planning-related software/tools.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working on residential-led and mixed-use developments.
• Knowledge of land promotion, strategic planning, and regeneration projects.
• Existing relationships with local authorities and planning consultants.
• Experience mentoring junior planners or managing small teams

Benefits

• Complimentary on-site parking is available.
• Discounted employee friends & family rates at Arora Hotels.
• Food and beverage discounts.
• Christmas gifts and employee parties.
• Introduce a friend scheme.
• Cycle 2 work scheme.
• UK attraction discounts @ Merlin Entertainments.
• Taste card.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Wage stream.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Arora star employee recognition.
• Long service recognition award.
• Tusker car scheme
• Access to company pool car

The Arora Group Property division was set up in 2005 to provide a property and asset management service. It currently manages over £1.5 billion of property assets which includes operated hotels, a portfolio of externally leased hotels, offices and commercial spaces, as well as land holdings across London, major regional airports and the home counties.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Town Planner to join our growing property and development team. This role is ideal for a planning professional with 7–10 years of experience who can lead planning strategy across a diverse portfolio of residential, mixed-use, and commercial development projects.

Working within an independent property company environment, the successful candidate will play a key role in identifying development opportunities, managing planning applications, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting the delivery of high-quality developments from acquisition through to consent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage planning applications, appeals, and pre-application processes across multiple projects.
• Provide strategic planning advice to internal development, acquisitions, and asset management teams.
• Assess development opportunities and planning risks during site acquisition and feasibility stages.
• Prepare and coordinate planning submissions, including supporting consultants and technical reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, planning officers, consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor planning policy changes, local plans, and legislative updates relevant to the business portfolio.
• Represent the company at planning committees, public consultations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Manage external planning consultants and specialist advisors where required.
• Support junior team members through mentoring and technical guidance.
• Contribute to the overall growth strategy of the business through proactive planning insight and market awareness.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree qualified in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, or a related discipline.
• MRTPI qualified (or working towards accreditation).
• 7–10 years of relevant professional planning experience, ideally within a property developer, consultancy, or client-side environment.
• Strong knowledge of local and national planning policy and development processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex planning applications and stakeholder engagement.
• Commercially aware with a practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and planning-related software/tools.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working on residential-led and mixed-use developments.
• Knowledge of land promotion, strategic planning, and regeneration projects.
• Existing relationships with local authorities and planning consultants.
• Experience mentoring junior planners or managing small teams

Benefits

• Complimentary on-site parking is available.
• Discounted employee friends & family rates at Arora Hotels.
• Food and beverage discounts.
• Christmas gifts and employee parties.
• Introduce a friend scheme.
• Cycle 2 work scheme.
• UK attraction discounts @ Merlin Entertainments.
• Taste card.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Wage stream.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Arora star employee recognition.
• Long service recognition award.
• Tusker car scheme
• Access to company pool car