Interview with Planning Recruitment Specialist: Joel Khambay

In this blog, you will learn:

• How Spencer Clarke Group helps to overcome recruitment challenges currently facing the planning sector.
• The advice this planning recruitment specialist would give to professionals entering the planning sector.
• Where the latest planning jobs are and how to apply for them. 

In our latest ‘Interview with a recruiter’ we’ve been talking to Senior Consultant, Joel Khambay, whose expertise lies in planning recruitment. 

Joel explains how Spencer Clarke Group can support local authorities and private planning organisations with their recruitment needs and the advice he would give to someone pursuing a career within the planning sector.

Joel, tell us about yourself

I am a Senior Consultant and I specialise in placing Building Control Surveyors and Town Planners into local authority and private planning organisations throughout the UK. 

I have worked at Spencer Clarke Group since 2024 and there is nothing I don’t love about it here. From the people to the perks, it’s an amazing workplace.

Outside of work I play and watch as much sport as possible. I especially love football, golf, pool, snooker, darts and squash - so a big variety! 

How did you end up in the world of recruitment?

I was working as a Hotel Manager when lockdown happened which had a big impact on the hospitality industry. I knew I wanted to stay in work while the hotels were closed, so I decided to explore my options and discovered that I had a lot of transferable skills that would suit a career in recruitment. 

Since I embarked on a career in recruitment, I have come to love the fast-paced nature of the industry and how rewarding it can be. Working in an office environment with a team of high-achieving consultants really gets the best out of me and motivates me every day. 

What does your role entail at Spencer Clarke Group?

My role consists of a number of variables and no two days are the same. The ultimate goal is to provide my candidates with roles that move them forward in their career, while helping them financially, or with work life balance - in most cases it is both of these factors. 

I also endeavor to help my clients grow, whether that be through increasing their headcount within the private sector or helping my local authority clients maintain standards throughout the borough and public sector.

Who do you work with?

I work with both private and public sector clients within building control and planning. Whilst needs can vary between sectors and the availability of work does vary, I love recruiting for these types of roles and liaising with my clients day to day. 

Can you give us an insight into how your sector works?

Town Planners and Building Control Surveyors can work for either a local authority or private planning organisation and I recruit for both. Across the public and private sector, Town Planners are employed to enhance communities, improve sustainable practice, execute development policies and create vibrant and safe spaces for local residents. 

Building Control Surveyors are responsible for performing detailed inspections of properties and reporting on structural issues that need resolving.

The sector relies on extremely skilled professionals who have sound knowledge of planning and building regulations, and a strong commitment to enhancing sustainable practice.

What is the best thing about being a recruiter within the planning sector?

This is a tough question because there is so much to love, but I would say just having a thorough insight into what my candidates do and why they do it.

I love learning from the Town Planners I speak to and expanding my own knowledge has completely changed my way of thinking when I see a new or existing building growing.

What are the current challenges facing your sector?

There are a few challenges currently taking a toll across the UK planning sector. To start with, staff shortages across local authorities mean that teams are sometimes left with skill gaps. 

Budget cuts across the sector also mean there are fewer resources to help with the demands of the job. For example, hold ups in processing planning applications mean that projects are delayed and this can be costly for local authorities and private planning companies.

How does Spencer Clarke Group help overcome these challenges?

We aim to take a burden off hiring managers by supporting their recruitment efforts and providing them with qualified, skilled professionals who can step in and help them hit targets. Often, this is on an interim basis. 

By tailoring our service to the exact needs of a client, we can match candidates who can support them throughout the challenges the sector faces. We aim to fill skills gaps by gaining a clear insight into a Town Planner's strengths and expertise. 

The better we understand the needs of a client, the better we can enhance their team, so we pride ourselves on tailoring our recruitment services to their exact needs and challenges.

What advice would you give to a planning professional looking for their first position?

I’d say the people who do best in this sector are the people who genuinely care about delivering positive outcomes for local communities. If you are committed to sustainable growth, understand the needs of residents and willing to understand planning and building regulations in finite detail, you’ll do a great job in the planning sector. 

What does the future hold for you at Spencer Clarke Group?

I want to keep building positive relationships with clients across the private and public sector and always be their go-to recruitment agency for Building Control Surveyor and Town Planner roles.

Candidate wise, I pride myself on building trusting relationships with professionals in this sector and this will always be a priority for me. 

Planning jobs

If you’re searching for your next town planning job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available. 

Town planning recruitment services

As town planning recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs. 

Joel has built long-standing, trusted relationships with numerous local council planning departments, delivering tailored recruitment solutions that address the dynamic and evolving demands of the town planning sector. 

If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, get in touch with Joel Khambay on 01772 954200 to see how we can help.

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.