Principal Planning Policy Officer

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Triumph Consultants Limited in London is seeking a Principal Planning Policy Officer to lead and deliver strategic planning policy work for a local authority. The role focuses on developing Local Plans, SPDs and policy guidance, and representing the authority at examinations and forums.

The successful candidate will manage complex policy projects, oversee evidence studies, and deputise for senior managers as required, while mentoring junior staff and delivering high-quality policy advice.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of planning policy and plan-making within a local authority or comparable planning environment.
• Proven track record of leading the preparation, review and delivery of Local Plans, SPDs or related planning policy documents.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including presenting evidence at examinations, hearings or inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of Local Plan policies and related planning strategy documents.
• Manage the development of SPDs and other planning guidance to support policy delivery.
• Commission and manage external evidence studies and oversee consultants.
• Present and defend planning policy evidence at examinations, hearings, inquiries and appeals.
• Lead public consultations and stakeholder engagement to inform policy development.

Skills

Planning policy

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Presentation skills

Representation at hearings

Education

RTPI membership (chartered)

Job description

Job Title: Principal Planning Policy Officer

Location: London (Hybrid Working Available)

Sector: Local Government

Ref: 8380

Rate: £ 200.20 pd PAYE (flexible holiday pay options)

Contract: Interim, 6 months

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hybrid Working: Yes

The Role

Our client, a highly regarded London local authority, is seeking an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer to play a leading role in shaping and delivering its planning policy agenda. This is a senior position within the planning policy team, responsible for driving the development, implementation and review of strategic planning policies that support sustainable growth and place-shaping objectives.

The successful candidate will provide expert planning policy advice, lead complex policy projects, manage commissioned evidence studies and represent the organisation at examinations, inquiries and stakeholder forums. The role also includes deputising for senior management when required and supporting the development of junior planning policy professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of Local Plan policies and related planning strategy documents.
• Manage the development of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and other planning guidance to support policy delivery.
• Commission, manage and quality assure specialist evidence studies, including briefing and overseeing external consultants.
• Prepare, present and defend planning policy evidence at Examinations in Public, hearings, inquiries and appeals.
• Lead public consultation exercises and stakeholder engagement programmes to inform policy development and implementation.
• Provide specialist planning policy advice and guidance to senior officers, elected members, developers and external stakeholders.
• Deputise for senior planning managers when required, representing the organisation at high-level meetings, partnerships and forums.
• Support and supervise junior planning policy staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery and continuous professional development.

You Will Need (Essential Requirements)

• Significant experience of planning policy and plan-making within a local authority or comparable planning environment.
• Proven track record of leading the preparation, review and delivery of Local Plans, SPDs or related planning policy documents.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, national planning policy and best practice guidance.
• Experience of managing complex planning policy projects, evidence bases and consultant-led studies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting evidence and representing organisations at public examinations, hearings or inquiries.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience managing or mentoring planning policy staff.
• Experience acting as a deputy to senior planning leadership.
• Chartered membership of the RTPI or eligibility to obtain membership.
• Experience working within a London borough or metropolitan authority.
• Experience of delivering major regeneration, growth or place-shaping programmes through planning policy.