Principal Planner - Policy

Active4Today Ltd; Newark on Trent; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enrolment in career average pension

Flexi scheme

Hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Family-friendly benefits

Volunteer leave

Lifestyle benefits platform

Health cash plan

Free car parking

Gym membership

Job summary

Active4Today Ltd. in the East of England is seeking a Principal Planner to lead the development of the new Local Plan, directing policy work and coordinating a team of planners.

You will deliver complex plan-making tasks, ensure RTPI standards, and manage engagement with stakeholders while working on a 24-month fixed-term contract with hybrid working and a strong focus on delivery and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree in Planning or equivalent qualification required.
• Eligibility for RTPI Chartered Membership within 1 year of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Local Plan and policy framework.
• Coordinate a team of planners to deliver policy and strategy.
• Engage with stakeholders and manage plan-making processes.

Skills

Planning leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Planning

RTPI membership eligible

Job description

Job profile for Principal Planner - Policy

Principal Planner - Policy

Location Castle House, Great North Rd, Newark

Salary NS13 £46,579 to £48,738 per annum

Basis Full Time

Job details

Salary NS13 £46,579 to £48,738 per annum

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full Time

Region East

Job category/type Planning

Date posted 04/09/2026

Job reference REQ000560

Attachment: NSDC_Privacy_Notice_for_Job_Applicants_-_Updated April 2024 .pdf

Attachment: Principal Planner - Policy JDPS.docx

Job description

Principal Planner – Policy

Fixed term contract for 24 months with the possibility to become permanent

Full time, 37 hours per week

Salary NS13 £46,579 to £48,738 per annum

We are now recruiting for a Principal Planner to take a leading role in developing our new Local Plan. You will be a motivated and experienced planning professional, with a strong ability to tackle complex planning challenges and lead others in developing effective plans.

You will have extensive experience of working in Planning with a track record of having delivered new policy and strategy. As a ‘front runner’ authority you will have the opportunity to lead on significant and complex elements of plan making in the new plan making system. You will be educated to degree level and hold Chartered Membership of RTPI, or equivalent body, or be eligible to attain and seek full Chartered membership of the RTPI within 1 year of appointment.

We’re an ambitious, forward-thinking Council with strong values and a culture of doing our absolute best to serve our customers. We are proud of our organisational culture and receive positive feedback from our employees. We have a programme of internal activity to ensure that the voices of our employees are always heard and that they are kept informed on all Council activity and events. From roadshows to an annual award ceremony, from reviewing working arrangements to regular craft sessions, it is incredibly important our employees are shown how valued they are and that they remain the beating heart of our workplace.

We offer:

• Enrolment in the career average local government pension scheme.
• Flexi scheme.
• Hybrid working.
• A generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service.
• Family-friendly benefits.
• One days’ paid volunteering leave.
• Lifestyle benefits platform.
• Funded health cash plan.
• Free car parking to 31 March 2028
• £10 a month gym membership at one of our gyms in the district.

You will be working with a professional, committed and experienced team who are passionate about supporting us to deliver the objectives as outlined in our Community Plan.

For an informal chat or more information, please contact Matthew Tubb (Planning Policy Team Leader) on 01636 655850 or Matthew Norton (Assistant Director Planning & Economy on 01636 655852.

As an employer we will promote an inclusive working environment to maintain and develop a forward thinking and diverse workforce.

Veterans/family of forces/ex-forces, those in care/care leavers, and candidates who declare disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be guaranteed interviews provided they have demonstrated that they meet the essential criteria of the post as detailed in the Person Specifications on their application forms.

Closing Date: 25 September 2026

Test & Interview: TBC