Senior Policy & Strategy Officer (Planning)

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Lichfield; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Principal Policy and Strategy Officer to lead policy development and implementation for planning. The role requires a degree in Town and Country Planning and experience in local government, with strong project management and report writing skills. A friendly hybrid working environment is offered with a competitive salary and various benefits including a local government pension.

Benefits

Local government pension

Private health insurance

Generous annual leave

Discounted leisure centre membership

Free onsite parking

Qualifications

• Strong report writing skills and ability to write effective strategies.
• Experience of building and developing relationships.
• Experience of managing and delivering projects from planning to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead on Local Plan formulation and delivery through all stages.
• Prepare reports for national government and regional policy.
• Represent the Council at external meetings and inquiries.

Skills

Policy development

Project management

Report writing

Local government knowledge

Education

Degree in Town and Country Planning or similar

Job description

We’re Lichfield District Council. A local authority in the Heart of England that provides local services to over 100,000 residents. Our District is a beautiful place to live and work, with its historic city centre which has the impressive Lichfield Cathedral and is the birthplace of Samuel Johnson.

Our organisation is ambitious, innovative, and highly driven to be the best in all that we do.

We want to further this growth potential in all key areas of the business by hiring great people. In return, we can build stronger foundations, provide quality services, and help support our company objectives longer term.

Salary - £44,711 plus £5,000 market supplement.

Flexible working. Only 1-2 days per week required in our Lichfield office.

JOB PURPOSE

Be the Principal Policy and Strategy Officer (Planning)for the specialist policy area, leading on policy development and implementation. Responsible for developing and implementing the Council’s Local Plan and other planning policy documents such as supplementary planning guidance.

Working with the Place & Prosperity Policy & Strategy Team Leader to advise and influence Cabinet, Leadership Team and Wider Leadership Team on policy and strategy development and implementation in relation to spatial policy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead on Local Plan formulation and delivery through all its stages including its planning, development, and monitoring.
• Lead, prepare, and input into other relevant spatial planning documents and exercises including Supplementary Planning Documents, masterplans, development briefs, developer contributions / Community Infrastructure Levy, funding bids and programmes.
• Support the Team Leader to ensure that the Council’s strategic vision, aims and objectives are achieved and remain relevant and up to date.
• Prepare reports in connection with the work of the service, including the Council’s response to national government and regional policy reforms and proposals, and to present such reports to a variety of audiences.
• Represent the District Council at meetings, the Examination in Public, inquiries, hearings, other consultation, and engagement meetings and on external working parties held in connection with the work of the policy and strategy service.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Degree or equivalent in Town and Country Planning or similar.
• Knowledge of local government policy and strategy development and implementation.
• Experience of effectively developing and implementing policies and strategies.
• Experience of building and developing relationships.
• Strong report writing skills and an ability to write effective strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Experience of managing and delivering projects from planning to implementation and evaluation.
• Experience of bidding processes and making applications to secure funding.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR US

• Friendly and supportive environment underpinned by our values.
• Hybrid working including flexibility around working patterns.
• Local government pension. With the scheme you get Life cover – 3 times your salary as a lump sum if you die in service.
• Private health insurance on completion of probationary period.
• Generous annual leave.
• Discounted membership to our two leisure centres.
• Offices opposite Lichfield Train Station.
• Free onsite Parking.

WHAT NEXT?

To be considered for this exciting new opportunity, please send your CV and Supporting statement [e-mail].

If you need support with completing your application, for any part of the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments.

Please Note:

We value the interest shown in our vacancies and aim to consider every application carefully. However, in the event of exceptionally high levels of response, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early in order to manage application volumes effectively.

Due to the high number of applications that we can typically receive, we are unable to notify applicants who have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Pre Employment Checks

All offers of employment are conditional offer subject to satisfactory clearances which include:

• Two satisfactory references covering the last 3 years of employment.
• Evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom; and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if applicable

We look forward to hearing from you.