Career Grade Planner

London Borough of Hounslow; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater London is seeking a Senior Planner to manage major planning applications and work collaboratively with developers and stakeholders. The role requires strong negotiation skills and an ability to work independently. Candidates should be passionate about the built environment and ready to tackle planning challenges effectively. A fantastic opportunity for career development is also available for early-stage planners.

Qualifications

• A passion for the built environment.
• Desire to deliver high-quality planning outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret legislation and communicate complex information.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of planning applications and appeals.
• Work flexibly in a changing environment.
• Demonstrate effective negotiation skills.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of planning-related legislation.
• Engage with various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Technical knowledge of planning legislation

Job description

A Senior Planner will help with the delivery of major sites; leading on complex and major planning applications, liaising with developers, applicants and senior officers, conducting negotiations and presenting applications to Planning Committee. The appointment will be commensurate with experience. We would also consider a planner at the beginning of their career and offer a fantastic opportunity to gain practical experience and to develop a strong foundation for a career within the Built Environment, determining a large number of householder and minor applications, as well as contributing to the overall work of the teams. The posts require candidates who have a vision for developing the built environment to achieve the council\'s aspirations, who have the confidence and capability to engage with developers, carry a caseload of major applications, and the ability and experience to work with less supervision in delivering the service.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of planning applications and appeals and determine these within set deadlines and in accordance with quality indicators.
• Work flexibly in a changing environment responding quickly to conflicting workloads and changing priorities.
• Identify the need for guidance from more senior staff and escalate as appropriate.
• Communicate in a sensitive and effective manner both orally and in writing and deal effectively with Members, the public, officers in other departments and outside organisations.
• Demonstrate effective negotiation skills inside and outside the authority, including experience of negotiating major planning gain and complex enforcement matters.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of planning-related legislation, principles and practice including knowledge of climate science and planning law.
• Interpret legislation and impart knowledge to a team; assess existing work practices and make recommendations for improvements.
• Show enthusiasm for working within a team that seeks creative and pragmatic solutions to borough problems.
• Proactively engage with officers, Councillors, residents and developers to negotiate the best outcomes on schemes.
• Show devotion to tackling equalities within the workplace and the borough in general.

Qualifications and Attributes

• A passion for the built environment and how residents experience and interact with the environment around them.
• A desire to work with others to deliver high-quality planning outcomes and a track record of delivering results under minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret legislation and communicate complex information clearly.