Lead Principal Planning Officer

London Borough of Redbridge; Ilford; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a forward-thinking council in East London, where you can make a significant impact on community development and urban regeneration. As the Lead Principal Planning Officer, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the borough by managing complex planning applications and leading negotiations that align with strategic corporate priorities. This position offers a blend of office and remote work, providing the flexibility needed for a balanced lifestyle. Join a dynamic team recognized for excellence in planning, and contribute to building a thriving community that residents can be proud of. If you're passionate about planning and community development, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex planning applications and negotiations.
• Ability to deliver corporate objectives and local plans effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation of strategic planning applications.
• Manage professional officers within the Development Management Team.

Skills

Planning Applications Management

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Relevant Degree in Planning or Related Field

Professional Membership (e.g., RTPI)

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job title: Lead Principal Planning Officer
Job reference: RQ002054
Date posted: 28/01/2025
Application closing date: 23/02/2025
Location: Lynton House
Salary: £53,607.00 - £56,646.00
Contractual hours: 36
Basis: Full-time
Job category/type: Blank

Redbridge is an ambitious, diverse and exciting east-London borough. What we do is driven by changing our relationship with local people to support our vision. As a result, we've developed innovative ways to build our communities and transform our Council.

We're one of the fastest growing parts of the country and the third most diverse London borough. Our communities are attracted by a mixture of excellent schools, relatively affordable housing, high-quality open space and rapid transport connections into the heart of the City.

This is an exciting time for the London Borough of Redbridge; we are at the heart of regeneration and change in East London, with unprecedented investment in the area expected in the next few years and Elizabeth Line will continue to open up new opportunities for new homes and jobs.

We need to proactively manage the investment being made in the borough to deliver a significant amount of new housing and supporting community infrastructure, drive economic growth to encourage local businesses to thrive and create a place in which people are proud to live, work and visit. We benefit from excellent transport links across London and Essex and our offices, based in Ilford, are only 9 minutes from Stratford and 18 minutes from Liverpool Street, in the heart of the city.

The team has worked to transform the service over the last four years to meet the challenges faced by unprecedented growth in the borough and were named Local Authority Planning Team of the Year in the National Planning Awards 2020, The Planning Team of the Year (Public Sector) in the RTPI London Awards for Planning Excellence 2021 and won Best Council Service Team at The Municipal Journal (The MJ) Awards in 2022.

About the Opportunity

The role is paramount to the delivery of the Council’s strategic corporate priorities. Working for us you will have the opportunity to make a real difference for our residents, securing ‘Growth’ with new homes and regenerating the town centres, reducing inequality and offering value for money.

The post is one of four who manage Professional Officers within the Development Management Team and provides a key role in determining planning applications. The post would take the lead on the negotiation of strategic planning applications to deliver corporate objectives and the Local Plan.

This full-time permanent role offers the flexibility of working within our offices in Ilford and working from home, allowing you that extra freedom and work-life balance. The successful candidate will be accustomed to dealing with complex pre-application enquiries, planning applications, appeals and post application work. Managing Planning Performance Agreements are a key part of the role. You will need to be self-motivated and well-organised with a positive focus on quality and detail that delivers exceptional performance.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Gavin Cooper – Development Management Manager at [e-mail].

To apply for this post please complete the online application form and attach your CV and a Covering Letter addressing how you meet the criteria for the role as stated in the person specification.

Ambitious for Redbridge

All short-listed applicants will need to demonstrate proof of right to work in the UK. At the London Borough of Redbridge, we receive a high volume of great-quality applicants, we therefore may close a vacancy earlier than advertised. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

We are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment and welcome applications from qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, colour, race, religion, or belief.