Principal Planning Policy Officer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer to join our Planning and Sustainable Growth department. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the borough's future as we work towards submitting our Local Plan for examination in 2026, following a successful Regulation 18 Consultation.

As Principal Planning Policy Officer, you will lead the preparation, examination, adoption, and review of Local Plan documents and other key planning policies. You will also drive strategic planning projects, ensuring sustainable growth and high-quality development across the borough.

This role offers cross-departmental collaboration, allowing you to work alongside teams in design, conservation, housing, transport, regeneration, and environmental planning, as well as key external partners such as the Greater London Authority (GLA) and West London Alliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of Local Plan evidence, draft new policies, and identify site allocations.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to address key policy issues and ensure effective cross-service integration.
• Drive forward planning policy projects, including new masterplans, digital planning initiatives, Article 4 directions, and infrastructure delivery.
• Provide strategic advice on large-scale developments, ensuring sustainable and well-planned growth across the borough.
• Collaborate with strategic partners such as the GLA and West London Alliance to support borough-wide planning initiatives.

This is a permanent role offering hybrid working and excellent opportunities for career progression.

About You

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive planning policy professional with a strong understanding of plan-making and statutory functions. You will be confident in taking a senior role within the Planning Policy Team and staying ahead of emerging changes in planning policy and legislation.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in a plan-making team, ideally within a local planning authority.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy and legislation, including recent and upcoming changes.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills, with the ability to lead initiatives and work proactively.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to produce clear reports and present complex planning issues to varied audiences.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders.
• A collaborative and dynamic approach, working creatively to achieve the best outcomes for residents and the borough.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and deliver high-quality work within deadlines.
• An understanding of digital planning tools and a willingness to embrace new technologies to modernise planning services.

Desirable but not essential: Experience working within London boroughs.

Key Areas to Highlight in Your Application:

• Your experience in planning policy and key projects you have successfully delivered.
• Your knowledge of current and emerging planning issues affecting the borough.
• Aspects of the role you feel most confident in and how you would contribute to the team.
• Examples of how you have successfully worked in collaborative teams.
• Any digital planning projects you have been involved in and their impact on a local planning authority.

Join us and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our borough!