Principal Planning Officer

City of York Council; York; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled planner to manage development management teams in a vibrant city. In this pivotal role, you will provide expert planning advice, make delegated decisions, and engage in the management of the service. Your leadership will guide teams in achieving exceptional standards of customer service while navigating the complexities of planning proposals. A commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development is emphasized, with hybrid working options available to suit your needs. Join a dedicated team focused on balancing development with the city's unique qualities and environmental challenges.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Flexible working practices

Community engagement opportunities

Continuous learning and development

Discounts and rewards

Qualifications

• Degree and professional planning qualification for RTPI membership required.
• Experience in managing staff and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional planning advice to elected members and stakeholders.
• Act as case officer for large-scale planning applications and appeals.

Skills

Knowledge of planning system

Negotiation skills

Decision-making skills

Judgment skills

Staff management

Education

Degree in Planning

Professional planning qualification (RTPI)

Job description

York has an outstanding built and natural environment, and our planners play a vital role in balancing significant development pressures with the city’s unique qualities and the challenges of climate change.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled and experienced planner to manage one of our development management teams.

As a principal officer, you will provide professional planning advice to elected members and other stakeholders, make delegated decisions on behalf of the council, attend planning committee meetings, and assist in the overall management of the service, including supporting corporate activities and projects. You will also act as case officer for large-scale planning applications and appeals.

To be successful, you should hold a degree and a professional planning qualification enabling full membership of the RTPI, and possess:

• Excellent knowledge of the planning system, policies, procedures, and extensive experience dealing with a wide range of planning proposals.
• Strong negotiation, decision-making, and judgment skills.
• Some experience of managing staff, with the ability to motivate and lead teams, set clear objectives, and achieve high standards of customer service and performance management.

The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and offers a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives, and a rewarding package recognizing your contributions. We support flexible working practices, community engagement, volunteer activities, and continuous learning and development. Additionally, we provide a range of discounts, rewards, and savings.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. The specific working arrangements will be determined based on the role's requirements and in collaboration with you during the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.

Please note, we do not currently hold a sponsorship license to sponsor individuals for UK visas, so we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Gareth Arnold (Development Manager) at [e-mail] or 01904 551320.

Closing date: Sunday, 18 May at 12 midnight.

Interview date: Week commencing Monday, 2 June 2025.