Principal Planning Policy Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking a Principal Planning Policy Officer to shape communities and manage planning policy development. The role involves leading on strategic site allocations, mentoring team members, and engaging with the community on planning matters. Ideal candidates should have a degree in a relevant field, strong communication skills, and significant experience in spatial planning policy. This permanent, full-time position is based in Ipswich and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous leave (26 to 31 days)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health Care Options

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant spatial planning policy experience required.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is desirable.
• Thorough knowledge of Local Government procedures necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning policy matters for the councils.
• Collaborate with consultants and provide expert advice.
• Engage with community to support neighbourhood plans.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in an appropriate discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £45,091 - £52,413 per annum (plus Market Supplement) * (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

Join our team

We are looking for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join our Strategic Planning Team and lead on a variety of planning policy matters.

If you share our values and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

Do you want to shape our communities and places in Babergh and Mid Suffolk for the better?

An exciting role has become available in the team that delivers the Local Plan for our districts. The councils adopted the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 Development Plan Document in November 2023 and are currently undertaking a Joint Local Plan Review under the new plan-making system, which will plan ahead to 2045.

The Joint Local Plan Review will seek to address the challenge of increasing housing and employment needs together with the delivery of the associated infrastructure, whilst preserving what is unique about the districts.

We are looking for a collaborative and strategic‑minded individual to play a key role in the formulation of planning policy, including:

• major and strategic site allocation
• managing external consultants on the development of evidence base and appraisal
• providing expert planning policy advice
• mentoring members of the team

There will be the need to work collaboratively across the two councils in supporting the development of strategies including infrastructure, as well as working closely with councillors, neighbouring local authorities, Suffolk County Council, and other infrastructure providers.

Engagement with the community and supporting the preparation of neighbourhood development plans are key aspects of the role.

The post will support the delivery of the councils’ corporate objectives.

About you

We are seeking a motivated planner who has appropriate knowledge and experience of the spatial planning policy system with the ability to analyse, interpret and present evidence and information succinctly to a variety of audiences.

You will:

• be educated to degree level in an appropriate discipline, with significant spatial planning policy experience, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is desirable
• have a thorough knowledge of Local Government practice and procedures
• be able to procure and manage external consultants and have a good understanding of the plan‑making process
• have effective communication skills and an ability to develop strong working relationships, together with project management and organisational skills
• have good IT skills and extensive experience with modern Microsoft products is expected

Now is an exciting time to join us, as we look to update and develop the software we use with innovative packages to present information in different ways.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• private Health Care Options
• electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• paid volunteering days
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• great learning and development opportunities

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Robert Hobbs by either calling 01449 724812 or emailing [e-mail] or Caileigh Gorzelak by either calling 01449 724595 or emailing [e-mail]

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (Word) before applying for this job opportunity.

*Market Forces Supplement is pending review.

Closing date: 5pm, 6 January 2026.

Interview date: week beginning 12 January 2026.

How to apply

Please ensure your:

• application form is fully completed, including employment and education history
• supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification
• CVs and covering letters will not be considered.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.