Planning & Design Practice Ltd is a leading town planning and architectural consultancy looking to recruit a Senior Planner to join our team.

You will have your MRTPI status or be working towards membership and be experienced in managing your own varied caseload supporting high quality development outcomes across Derbyshire and the wider region. Applicants from both the public and private sectors will be considered.

Key responsibilities will include managing planning applications from initial appraisal through to determination, preparing planning statements and supporting documents, undertaking site and policy appraisals, maintaining strong client relationships, liaising with statutory consultees and local planning authorities, and contributing to business development where appropriate.

Required skills & experience:

• Experience of working on a wide range of planning projects;
• Commercially aware and able to work proactively;
• Articulate and able to communicate to clients and colleagues on all levels;
• Good level of spoken and written English;
• Excellent organisational skills.

We have an excellent track record in supporting and developing planners. We believe in giving people responsibility and autonomy and you will be given the opportunity to lead your own projects, deal directly with clients and develop your own contacts. Our learning and development offer includes mentoring, training courses and internal workshops to support Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

We offer competitive salaries and flexible working hours including a blend of office and remote working. We have a sociable office and will support you in your personal and continuing professional development.

For more information on the practice please visit About Us or get in touch by phone or email. To be considered for interview please provide a cover letter, CV and examples of your written work to: enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to discuss their experience, approach to project management and examples of previous written work

About the role

We are looking for an organised, dependable and proactive Finance and Office Administrator to join our team in Derby. This varied part-time role combines day-to-day bookkeeping and financial administration with office coordination, HR support and general business administration.

You will play an important part in keeping our financial records accurate, supporting colleagues and Directors, and ensuring the office runs smoothly. The role would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership of a broad workload, can work independently and is confident managing competing priorities.

Key responsibilities

Finance and accounts

• Process supplier invoices and maintain accurate records in Sage and internal expenditure records.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing bank payments and allocate customer receipts.
• Maintain aged-debtor records and follow up outstanding accounts.
• Prepare customer invoices and arrange payment of supplier invoices when due.
• Process credit-card statements and complete bank reconciliations.
• Maintain profit and loss information and prepare monthly reports for Directors.
• Post PAYE journals, wages and dividend payments in Sage.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns.
• Support audits and coordinate year-end information for the company accountants.

Business and client administration

• Answer telephone calls and monitor shared email accounts.
• Record new enquiries, create client folders and maintain internal planning and enquiry records.
• Record fee estimates and new instructions across relevant systems.
• Create new customer accounts in Sage when required.
• Maintain accurate information in Sage, Coretime and internal spreadsheets and systems.

Office and people support

• Coordinate office supplies, refreshments, stationery, recycling and printer or plotter consumables.
• Arrange office repairs and routine servicing when required.
• Support the onboarding of new starters.
• Maintain absence records and conduct return-to-work interviews.
• Coordinate payroll changes with the external payroll provider and distribute payslips.
• Prepare staff one-to-one reports and support other routine HR administration.
• Coordinate other small office activities.

The responsibilities may evolve according to the needs of the business.

About you

We are looking for someone who can bring sound financial administration skills, discretion and a practical approach to a varied role.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience in bookkeeping, accounts administration or a similar finance-focused role.
• Experience using Sage or comparable accounting software.
• Confidence processing invoices, payments, reconciliations and debtor records.
• Strong organisational skills and close attention to detail.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to manage confidential financial and employee information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks and meet recurring deadlines.

Desirable experience

• Experience preparing VAT returns, management information or year-end records.
• Experience supporting payroll processes and basic HR administration.
• Experience working in a small professional-services business.
• Familiarity with time-recording and project-management systems.

Working arrangements

This is a part-time, office-based role in Derby for approximately 15–18 hours per week. We can offer flexibility in how the hours are arranged, subject to the needs of the business, and will agree the normal working pattern with the successful candidate.

What we offer

• Flexible part-time working hours.
• A varied role with responsibility and scope to make a positive contribution.
• A friendly, supportive working environment.
• 25 days annual leave pro/rata (plus bank holidays)
• Healthcare package
• Tech scheme and electric car salary sacrifice schemes
• On-site parking

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short covering note explaining your suitability for the role to enquiries@plannngdesign.co.uk by 1^st November 2026.