Lead Education Planning & Development Advisor - Hybrid

Somerset Council; Taunton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Flexible / Hybrid working

33 days annual leave

Wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Taunton seeks an experienced planning professional to lead complex education developer contributions and provide strategic planning advice across the education authority. You will manage a broad caseload, coordinate multiple stakeholders and guide internal teams to align with council priorities.

The role demands negotiation skills, data analysis, and the ability to deliver under a fixed-term contract until 30 November 2028, with a secondment option for internal candidates.

Qualifications

• Evidence of working with and influencing stakeholders and partners.
• Evidence of ability to develop, analyse and evaluate data and complex legal information, ideally using knowledge of MasterGov Planning Database.
• Experience of managing wide ranging caseloads.
• Subject matter expertise and detailed professional knowledge in area of specialism.
• Relevant professional qualification – e.g. membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or working towards it.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to deliver complex caseload without supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear leadership to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities and meet the Council’s financial targets.
• Use professional knowledge and experience to manage and deliver a broad caseload of internal planning consultancy services.
• Use professional knowledge and experience as the Council’s lead internal advisor on education developer contributions to guide and advise the education authority and other teams.
• Analyse and evaluate complex technical information to develop commercial judgements and provide professional advice.
• Coordinate and manage multiple stakeholders, agents and advisors to progress casework efficiently and effectively.
• Works with education, highways, legal, housing and other internal clients and professionals to understand Council and community needs and objectives.
• Management of 2 staff members.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Negotiation skills

Project management

Team leadership

RTPI membership (or in progress)

Education

RTPI membership or working towards

Tools

MasterGov Planning Database

Job description

Somerset Council in Taunton seeks an experienced planning professional to lead complex education developer contributions and provide strategic planning advice across the education authority. You will manage a broad caseload, coordinate multiple stakeholders and guide internal teams to align with council priorities.

The role demands negotiation skills, data analysis, and the ability to deliver under a fixed-term contract until 30 November 2028, with a secondment option for internal candidates.