Major Projects Planner - Town Planning

Description

Our local government clients in East London require a Major Projects Planner to start immediately and join the high-performing Development Management team. A senior role for a planner who thrives on complexity and challenge. You will take the lead on a caseload of the most strategically significant planning applications, from the pre-application stage through to appeal. Your work will involve negotiating with developers to deliver high-quality, innovative schemes and secure vital community benefits for the residents.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Project Leadership: Taking lead responsibility for a full range of complex and strategically important Development Management projects, including major applications and appeals at Public Inquiries.

Negotiation & Stakeholder Management: Working collaboratively with developers and stakeholders to resolve potential conflicts and negotiating to secure significant financial and other community benefits through S.106 legal

agreements.

Expert Advice & Communication: Acting as the senior expert spokesperson on Development Management issues, preparing and presenting high-level, complex reports, and representing committees and other public forums.

Team Contribution: Mentoring more junior staff, contributing to the team's performance management, and helping to develop a positive and customer-friendly planning service.

Qualification – Essential

• GCSE Grade (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics.
• Post-Graduate qualification in Town Planning and have membership of, or be eligible for, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Advanced Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Social Media and CRM.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience Requirements - Criteria to be Evaluated at the Shortlisting Stage.

• A minimum of 5 years' knowledge of the legislative, policy, and procedural frameworks within which the planning service operates.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in Development Management.
• Proven experience negotiating on complex applications to secure community benefits.
• Experience mentoring staff.
• A thorough knowledge of planning law and procedures as they relate to complex applications (including those with Environmental Impact Assessments) and appeals.
• The ability to produce and present clear, concise, and practical reports, both written and oral.
• Excellent skills in negotiation, persuasion, and influence.
• The ability to manage an extensive and demanding workload to meet performance targets with minimal supervision.
• A working knowledge of relevant IT systems, such as Word, planning databases, and GIS.

Why Work in this team?

• Join a forward-thinking team committed to delivering excellent services that offer:
• A competitive salary and a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A commitment to your continuous professional development.
• Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• The opportunity to work on a diverse and exciting range of significant developments.

Essential Compliance Requirements

• 3 years' reference, including current employment
• A pre-engagement screening is mandatory for this role.

Diamond Blaque Group, a leading provider in the public sector, is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. Our organisation is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace.