At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in shaping sustainable urban travel and planning initiatives.
- Company: Join Active Travel England, driving the future of transport in towns and cities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in urban planning and promote active travel for a greener future.
- Qualifications: Experience in urban planning, strong leadership, and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 57515 - 57515 € per year.
Active Travel England (ATE) plays a central role in delivering the Government’s ambition for half of journeys in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030. This role sits within ATE’s statutory spatial planning function, overseeing development management and plan‑making services. You will lead core planning activity, manage a multidisciplinary team, and bring strong expertise in active travel, sustainable transport policy and stakeholder engagement.
Location: York (hybrid working suitable).
Key Responsibilities & Benefits
- Support ATE in delivering its spatial planning priorities through its plan‑making and development management roles.
- Line‑manage a team of four colleagues, supporting continuous professional development and ensuring new starters are effectively onboarded.
- Allocate new cases, oversee workloads and support the Head of Development Management in driving consistency and quality across outputs.
- Build productive relationships with key external stakeholders to position ATE as a centre of excellence and promote best practice.
- Provide professional advice to colleagues across ATE, as well as to local and combined authorities, developers, agents and other relevant stakeholders on development proposals.
- Contribute to ATE’s learning, development and capacity‑building activities for local authorities and the development sector, including leading sessions where appropriate.
- Attend meetings with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties as required.
Salary: £57,515 with a Civil Service pension contribution of 28.97 %. 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to 30 days). 8 Bank Holidays plus a Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday. Access to the staff discount portal. Excellent career development opportunities and potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to the role paid for by the department (CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.). Diverse and inclusive workforce with staff communities to support all colleagues. 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff. Flexible working options encouraging a great work‑life balance.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need the following experience:
- Significant experience preparing or assessing major urban extensions, regeneration sites and/or new settlements.
- Demonstrable experience providing technical recommendations under pressure, including presenting to Planning Committees and/or giving evidence at appeal or plan examination.
- Proven experience of line management and supporting staff development.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, with a track record of delivering positive outcomes for the built environment.
- Chartered membership of the RTPI or CIHT.
You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential memberships during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
Spatial Planning Team Leader employer: Active Travel England
Active Travel England (ATE) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in York that champions sustainable transport and active travel initiatives. With a strong commitment to employee development, ATE provides excellent career growth opportunities, professional qualifications support, and a diverse, inclusive culture that values work-life balance through flexible working options. Join us to make a meaningful impact on urban planning while enjoying generous benefits, including a competitive salary and extensive leave entitlements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Spatial Planning Team Leader
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in active travel and sustainable transport policy. Share specific examples of your past successes to really impress them!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on ATE and their projects before any interview. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially around urban extensions and regeneration sites. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Spatial Planning Team Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in spatial planning and active travel. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves managing a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your line management experience. Share examples of how you’ve supported staff development and fostered a positive team environment – we love to see that!
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement:Building relationships is key in this role. Be sure to include any experiences where you’ve successfully engaged with stakeholders or presented to committees. We’re looking for strong communication skills, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Travel England
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of active travel and sustainable transport policies. Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in spatial planning, especially those relevant to urban extensions and regeneration sites. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves line management, be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams. Think of specific examples where you've supported staff development or managed workloads effectively. Highlighting your ability to foster a positive team environment will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong communication and negotiation skills by preparing examples of how you've built productive relationships with stakeholders in the past. Whether it’s presenting to Planning Committees or collaborating with local authorities, showing your ability to engage effectively will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to development proposals and planning processes. Review any relevant case studies or projects you've worked on, and be ready to discuss your recommendations and the outcomes. This will showcase your expertise and problem-solving abilities under pressure.
