Planning Policy Team Leader

Dover District Council; United States; Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benenden Healthcare Membership

Local government pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Discount scheme

On-site parking

Cycle2Work scheme

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

RTPI Membership Fees

Job summary

Dover District Council invites applications for an 18-month fixed term Planning Policy Team Leader. The role leads a team of planning officers and technical staff to implement local policies, provide professional policy advice, and oversee planning applications with a focus on delivering strategic infrastructure and sustainable growth.

The post requires experience in policy leadership, strong communication, and the ability to work with elected members and external stakeholders, including

Qualifications

• Experience leading planning policy teams and delivering policy projects.
• Experience presenting at examinations/inquiries and dealing with planning appeals.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Strong report writing, research and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning policy and projects team to implement local policies and guidance.
• Provide professional advice on planning policy matters for development management decisions.
• Lead responses to planning applications and related planning matters.
• Act as expert witness at examinations in public, inquiries and court hearings as required.
• Manage S106 monitoring, developer contributions and Infrastructure Funding Statement delivery.
• Support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager and contribute to wider service management and council meetings.

Skills

Team leadership

Policy advising

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Degree in Planning or Geography

Job description

Are you looking to take a step up in your planning career? Or perhaps you are seeking fresh challenges in a new location? Dover District Council is seeking a motivated and ambitious Planning Policy Team Leader to help lead our planning policy and projects team on an 18-month fixed term contract. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for building your experience at a management level in planning. With over £63 million of investment helping to transform the district, together with our iconic White Cliffs, stunning coastline, Kent Downs National Landscape and rich historic heritage, Dover is an exceptional place to live, work and help shape the future. In 2026, Dover District Council was recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Awards for Planning Excellence as Planning Authority of the Year, reflecting our commitment to delivering high-quality place‑making, sustainable growth and excellent planning outcomes which is strongly supported by its elected members. We have an ambitious agenda to continue to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do - and you could play a vital role in this. As an employer, we are proud to provide a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible working environment in which our employees can thrive. We have a team of enthusiastic employees, delivering services they are passionate about.

Role & Responsibilities

As the Team Leader within the planning policy and projects team, you will lead a team of professional planning officers and technical staff to implement local policies following the adoption of the Local Plan in 2024 and prepare and produce additional guidance. The role requires providing professional advice, information and guidance on all relevant matters to planning policy, including leading the teams approach to responding to planning applications to ensure consistent application of local and national policy in development management decisions. You will be required to appear as an expert witness for the Council at examinations in public and other planning appeals, public inquiries and court hearings, as required. You will have a good grasp of the importance of developer contributions in delivering strategic infrastructure and will manage the work of the S106 Monitoring Officer in terms of securing and spending developer obligations and production of the Infrastructure Funding Statement. As Team Leader, you will be responsible for day‑to‑day management responsibilities, including direct staff management and assignment of team resources whilst ensuring implementation of the Corporate Plan and relevant Council policies. You will provide advice to elected members and management team and support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager to contribute to the wider management of the service, including at Council and other public meetings. A full valid UK driving license is required for this role (and use of a motor vehicle for business use).

• An understanding of local government structures and procedures is essential.
• You will be confident in effectively managing your workload and that of your team and will have experience in monitoring and reporting procedures, such as land supply reports and AMRs.
• You must be able to show competence in project delivery and associated management of external consultants and demonstrate excellent report writing, research and analysis skills.
• You will also have experience at examination or appeal hearings/inquiries and advising on planning policy matters through the planning application process.
• You need a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

The ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively will be really important - you will be regularly working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and elected councillors. If you are an experienced policy planner who is confident in successfully leading projects through to delivery, with excellent communication skills, the enthusiasm to support and guide junior members of the team and you are seeking a fixed term role that presents challenge and daily diversity, this could be the perfect move.

The role is for a fixed term of 18-month period and will be based at the Dover District Council Offices at Whitfield in Kent. We work in a hybrid way with a mix of office (2 days a week minimum required) and home working (business need permitting). We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in.

Employee Benefits

We also offer several employee benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, such as:

• Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program
• Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
• Generous annual leave provision
• Discount scheme including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
• On-site parking
• Cycle2Work scheme (eligibility criteria applies)
• Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (eligibility criteria applies)
• Payment of RTPI Membership Fees