The role
As a Senior Planner, you'll dive deep into strategic planning, working closely with planning professionals throughout London to implement policies that meet the ever-changing demands of London’s growth. Your work will ensure that development aligns with the borough’s vision for more housing, economic vitality, and sustainable growth, all while improving the quality of life for our residents.
This role will involve writing policy, research, monitoring, partnership working and working with consultants as well as working on the Local Plan. The role will also involve providing advice on policy issues. You will navigate the intricacies of development management, ensuring projects align with performance standards and contribute to the borough’s objectives.
You will provide expert advice on planning matters, offering clear and concise guidance to senior officers, elected members, and the public. Your expertise will help mitigate risks while ensuring that planning and transport policies deliver on the council’s broader aims. Innovation is at the heart of this role, and you will champion excellence in every aspect of the service, ensuring that Southwark stands out as a leader in urban planning and development.
Key responsibilities:
• Lead and deliver complex planning services, including development management and planning policy, ensuring alignment with the borough's growth objectives.
• Provide expert advice on planning decisions, policy implementation, and projects, influencing key outcomes that shape Southwark’s development landscape.
• Support cross-functional teams, working closely with transport, environmental, and planning colleagues to deliver high-quality, client-focused results.
• Provide clear, high-level guidance on the statutory planning process, ensuring legal, reputational, and financial risks are managed effectively.
• Manage projects in partnership with local stakeholders, identifying opportunities to meet the council’s strategic objectives through innovative planning solutions.
• Drive service excellence, promoting continuous improvement and innovation within the planning department.
How will you make an impact as our Senior Planner?
As our Senior Planner, you will bring a combination of technical expertise and strategic thinking to drive forward impactful urban development. Your role will shape Southwark’s future through high-quality planning solutions and innovative projects. To make a real impact, you’ll need:
• A degree in a relevant subject or professional qualification, along with ongoing professional development.
• Demonstrable knowledge of planning policy particularly an understanding of strategic planning issues, how to interpret them simply and translate complex issues into development management policies.
• Proven experience in a busy planning service, with responsibility for complex applications or strategic projects.
• Ability to write and present clear, concise information tailored to diverse audiences.
• Experience in analysing diverse community needs to deliver effective planning solutions with practical understanding of inclusion and addressing social challenges within an inner London borough.
• In-depth understanding of planning within an urban context, combined with a customer-focused approach.
This is more than just a job - it's a chance to lead transformative change in one of London’s most dynamic boroughs. If you’re passionate about planning and ready to make a real difference, this is the opportunity to take your career to the next level.
Additional details
We will only consider applications from internal candidates, that are current employees or agency workers on an active assignment.
About Southwark:
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Benefits and more information:
In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:
• A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
• Wellbeing programme
• HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Recruitment timetable
Closing date: 29/10/2024 at 23:59
Interview Date: 13/11/2024
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
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