Principal Development Management Officer

North Northamptonshire Council; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the United Kingdom seeks a Principal Development Management Officer to support the effective delivery of planning functions. The role involves engaging with stakeholders, managing planning applications, and preparing reports for the Planning Committee. Candidates should have a relevant degree and extensive knowledge of the English planning system. Benefits include a competitive salary, pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Generous leave entitlement

Hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Extended experience with a full range of planning applications.
• Extensive knowledge of the National Planning Policy Framework.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of planning functions and customer service.
• Engage with stakeholders, including public and councillors.
• Prepare and present Committee reports on planning applications.

Skills

Customer service

Knowledge of English planning system

Project management

Education

Relevant degree

Chartered membership eligibility

Job description

About the role

North Northamptonshire Council is a product of local government reorganisation which took place across Northamptonshire in 2021. We have brought together the four former district and borough and county Local Planning Authority planning functions and working through a transformation programme to create a single high-performing planning service for North Northamptonshire. North Northamptonshire is a high-growth area offering an exciting opportunity for professional development. We are working on preparing a new Local Plan to provide a spatial vision for the whole area. We are delivering sustainable urban extensions in differing phases of development, a wealth of large commercial and industrial development proposals and everything in that can offer a breadth of opportunities to utilise your knowledge and experience, and develop your career, in a job that is both challenging and rewarding.

Please note: Interviews are anticipated to take place on the 21st/ 22nd January 2026.

Responsibilities

In this dynamic role you will play a vital part in supporting the effective delivery of North Northamptonshire's planning functions. You will be at the forefront of providing customer service, engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public, applicants and councillors, ensuring every interaction reflects our commitment to the future of our area. You will be joining us at an exciting time as we implement our new team structure, come together in new headquarter offices, and roll-out new planning software and ways of working. Working as a Principal Development Management Officer you will be at the at the forefront of supporting initiatives be part of our continuing transformation and improvement journey, influencing the evolution of our service. You will be responsible for a case load of some of the more significant planning applications, including the carrying out of site inspections, research, consultations and assessment of the case. Making appropriate recommendations in accordance with the policies of the Council. As required, this will include the preparation of Committee reports on planning and other applications, and the presentation of these reports at the Planning Committee. You will be part of a team structure that is designed to ensure that you can both benefit from the support and guidance of colleagues to help you achieve your potential, but also utilise your own knowledge to mentor junior colleagues. For example, through our 'Development Team' approach we will offer opportunities for all officers to be involved in bespoke project teams brought together to handle largescale and high-profile developments.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

Qualifications

You will hold a relevant degree and qualifications or have the appropriate experience that would allow you to be eligible for chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent). You will be able to demonstrate extended experience of being responsible for a full range of planning applications, including largescale/complex proposals. Extensive knowledge of the English planning system, including legislation, the National Planning Policy Framework and best practice advice. You are able to deliver excellent customer service under pressure.

Our Values and Behaviours

About us Our Values and Behaviours Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer-focused Respectful Efficient Supportive Trustworthy Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

Benefits

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we're transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You'll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think! Why choose us? We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.