Principal Strategic Planning Officer

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A Local Authority in Hertfordshire is seeking a Principal Strategic Planning Officer to focus on reviewing and managing the District's Local Plan updates. The role involves technical expertise, project management, and strong negotiation skills. Ideal candidates will have RTPI membership and demonstrable experience in Local Authority planning. The contract lasts 6 months with a possibility of extension, and office attendance is required 2 days per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering Local Plan updates.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage projects and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Prepare chapters and sections of the Local Plan.
• Attend Public Inquiries as a technical expert.
• Oversee and project manage site allocations work.

Skills

Project management

Planning policy negotiation

Technical expertise

Education

RTPI membership

Job description

Overview

Our client is a Local Authority in Hertfordshire who are looking for a Principal Strategic Planning Officer to take on a role focused on the review, project management and update of the District's Local Plan.

Responsibilities

• You will report to the Strategic Planning Manager and be assigned specific tasks in relation to the preparation of chapters and sections of the Plan and / or focussed reviews on specified areas of policy.
• The role will require attendance at Public Inquiries where you will act as a technical expert witness to defend Council decisions and provide detailed responses.
• As a Principal Officer, your main workstream will be to oversee and project manage the site allocations work - with support from junior officers using Placemaker. You will be working on the Local Plan: site allocations, policy drafting, preparing in-house evidence base documents and managing consultants.
• We are looking for a versatile, experienced Planning Policy Officer who can demonstrate a range of Local Authority experience delivering Local Plan updates.
• You will need to have a track record of positively influencing planning outcomes through liaison and negotiation of complex matters.

Qualifications

• Ideally RTPI membership for a role at this grade.

Contract and Logistics

• The contract will run for 6 months with a strong likelihood of extension.
• Office requirements are 2 days per week, Monday and Wednesday.
• The rate will be at least £55/hr (umbrella).