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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major planning projects and shape the future of Bolton.
- Company: Join Bolton Council, a welcoming organisation with strong community values.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, generous leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in planning or related field; experience in complex applications required.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Grade J Scp 35 £46,142 to Scp 39 £50,269
Contract - Fixed Term Two Years
Essential Requirements:
- Current Valid Driving Licence
- Qualifications — a recognised degree in town planning, geography, transport, environmental science, or a related subject.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
The Role
We’re looking for an experienced and confident Principal Planning Officer to take a leading role in delivering major development, regeneration and place‑making across the borough. The post is offered on a two‑year fixed‑term contract. This is a senior position within Development Management, with responsibility for handling the Council’s most complex planning applications and appeals, while providing clear leadership, direction and support to Planning Officers, graduates and apprentices. You’ll lead high‑profile schemes from pre‑application stage through to decision, including negotiating complex proposals, securing Section 106 agreements, preparing robust committee reports and representing the Council at appeals, hearings and public inquiries. You’ll ensure decisions are well‑reasoned, legally sound and delivered within agreed timescales. Alongside casework, you’ll play a key role in shaping the service, supervising and mentoring staff, improving performance, driving service improvements, supporting income generation through charging regimes and Planning Performance Agreements, and fostering strong working relationships with various council services, colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, helping enhance the reputation of the Development Management service. This is a high‑impact role for someone who wants to shape outcomes, lead people, and influence the future of the borough. If you have a keen interest in leading high‑profile planning work and helping deliver high‑quality, sustainable places for our communities, we’d love to hear from you.
If you would like an informal chat about this role please contact Alex Allen, Planning Development Manager on 07385 361838 or alex.allen@bolton.gov.uk.
About You
Our ideal candidate will be an experienced planning professional with the confidence and credibility to lead on major and complex applications. You’ll bring strong technical knowledge, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage challenging negotiations, sensitive cases and competing priorities. You will enjoy leading others, providing clear direction, supervising and mentoring planners at different stages of their careers, while maintaining high standards of performance, decision making and customer service. You will communicate clearly and confidently, whether negotiating with developers, advising Members, presenting at committee or representing the Council at appeals and inquiries. You’ll be comfortable taking responsibility for financial matters, improving systems and processes, and driving continuous improvement across the service. Above all, you will be proactive, resilient and motivated by delivering high‑quality planning decisions that stand up to scrutiny, strengthen the service and make a lasting difference to the borough.
About Us
This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough. Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents. As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, we offer a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.
Legal and Equality Information
Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers and ex‑military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply. This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification. This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or ‘unbroken’ service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service‑related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information. For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact recruitment@bolton.gov.uk.
Principal Planning Officer NEW Bolton Council Posted yesterday Bolton £46,142 to £50,269 Fixed [...] employer: Bolton Gin Company
Contact Detail:
Bolton Gin Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planning Officer NEW Bolton Council Posted yesterday Bolton £46,142 to £50,269 Fixed [...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Bolton Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you're genuinely interested in shaping the future of Bolton and how your skills can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves handling complex applications and negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend to build your confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process closely!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planning Officer NEW Bolton Council Posted yesterday Bolton £46,142 to £50,269 Fixed [...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, make sure you understand what Bolton Council is looking for. Highlight the key responsibilities and requirements, and think about how your experience aligns with them.
Be Personal and Authentic: We want to hear your voice! Avoid generic statements and instead share specific examples from your career that showcase your skills and achievements. This will help us see the real you behind the application.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your background in planning and leadership makes you the perfect fit for the Principal Planning Officer position.
Follow the Instructions Carefully: Pay close attention to the application instructions. If they ask for specific information or formats, make sure you stick to them. This shows us that you can follow guidelines and are detail-oriented, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bolton Gin Company
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to town planning, geography, and environmental science. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role of Principal Planning Officer.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, think of examples where you've successfully supervised or mentored others. Be ready to share how you’ve handled challenging negotiations or sensitive cases in the past.
✨Understand the Council's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Bolton Council's goals and recent initiatives. This will help you align your answers with their ambitions for the borough and demonstrate your commitment to contributing positively to the community.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about complex planning applications you've managed and be ready to explain your approach to ensuring decisions are legally sound and well-reasoned.