Senior Planning Officer - Policy

Dudley Council; Dudley; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to join its Planning Policy team. The role involves preparing the Local Plan and providing advice on planning policy issues. Ideal candidates will have RTPI accreditation or equivalent experience, with excellent negotiation and communication skills. This is a full-time permanent position, offering hybrid working arrangements and various benefits including flexible working hours and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Agile working environment

30 days annual leave

Flexible working time

Professional development opportunities

Season tickets for car parking

Qualifications

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Flair for problem-solving.
• Experience working within a planning policy environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the Local Plan and policy documents.
• Provide advice on planning policy issues.
• Participate in consultation events and independent examinations.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

RTPI accreditation or equivalent experience

Job description

Are you ready for a new challenge? If so, this could be for you as a great opportunity to work as a Senior Planning Officer at Dudley MBC has arisen within the Planning Policy team.

Dudley is considered the historic capital of the Black Country. An area with a rich heritage, located near many towns and cities, as well as green spaces, making it the perfect place to work and live. Dudley is currently undergoing a period of growth, which will continue with the extension of the Midland Metro, and the emerging Local Plan is at the examination stage. The position offers an ideal career opportunity to gain valuable experience working in an urban authority.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual who has excellent negotiation and communication skills, as well as a flair for problem solving. You should be a RTPI accredited professional or have sufficient post qualification experience to be eligible for charted membership of the RTPI and have experience working within a planning policy environment.

More Specifically

Working within the planning policy team, you will play an important role in the preparation of the Local Plan and other policy documents, including research, policy formulation and participation in consultation events and independent examinations. The team is currently working on the Dudley Local Plan which is currently at the examination stage. This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to be involved in setting the strategy for growth and the policies that will serve the area for the next 15+ years. You will also be involved in the preparation of supplementary planning documents, masterplans and development briefs. You will provide advice on planning policy issues to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders - including elected members, developers and government agencies. You should have experience of working within a planning policy environment.

Hours: 37 per week

Salary: £42,839 - £46,142

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Location: Hybrid working – from home and office: Council House, Priory Road, Dudley

Benefits We Offer

• Planning Services operate an agile working environment and offers flexible working time with the ability to accrue flexi-time leave.
• Leave entitlement of 30 days, rising by a 4 further days after 5 years continuous service.
• Season tickets for car parking facilities are provided along with mileage allowance.
• The service offers a supportive environment with the ability to experience a wide variety of work streams and application types within an experienced and diverse team. Continued professional development is a strong part of the planning services ethos and is actively encouraged.

Interviews likely to be held week commencing 17th November 2025.

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

Dudley Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.