Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement)

Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement)

Full-Time 33600 - 42600 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Chorley Council & South Ribble Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Investigate planning breaches and guide the compliance team in enforcement actions.
  • Company: Join South Ribble and Chorley Borough Councils, dedicated to enhancing community life.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and a car allowance.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; apply early as vacancies may close sooner.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong knowledge of planning law and excellent communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 33600 - 42600 £ per year.

About The Role
Role: Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement)
Location: South Ribble and Chorley Borough Council
Contract: Full time (36.25 hours per week) / Permanent
Salary: £38,626 - £42,708 plus 6% car allowance
Closing Date: 7 July 2025
Are you an experienced Planning Enforcement Officer? If so, we are seeking to strengthen our planning enforcement services - are you the person to help us achieve this?
We are looking for two skilled and dedicated Planning Enforcement specialists to join our shared Compliance Team across two councils, to deliver our services, continue our journey of improvement, and put our customers and community at the heart of what we do.
There are two roles available - one based primarily in Chorley, and one based primarily in South Ribble. However, you will be expected to cover cases across both Boroughs as required.
What you\'ll be getting up to
  • Undertaking site visits across the Boroughs to investigate and document potential breaches of planning.
  • Investigating the most complex breaches of planning control through to resolution, including formal enforcement actions and court action.
  • Providing day-to-day guidance and mentoring to the Compliance Officer (Enforcement)
  • Provide advice and guidance to Members, the public, developers, and other stakeholders on planning enforcement matters and expediency tests.
  • Making the professional development of the planning enforcement team one of your key priorities, and you will assist in delivering a program of continuing learning
  • Working with the Compliance Team Leader to assist them in delivering a multi-team collaborative approach to compliance monitoring and enforcement.
  • Being pro-active as well as re-active regarding potential breaches of planning.

Who we\'re looking for
The ideal candidate will have
  • a strong working knowledge of planning enforcement procedures and laws
  • a strong ability to understand and interpret various different types of legislation and regulations.
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • a proven ability to adapt to change and embrace improvements and changes to work practices and processes
  • a determination to seek out improvements and implement positive changes
  • an aptitude for gathering information from various sources, interpreting technical documents, problem solving, diplomacy, and making clear, logical, and well-founded decisions.
  • great communication skills - both written and verbal - to explain your decisions in easily understood language to different audiences.
  • the ability to manage and prioritise a mixed caseload at various stages of the process
  • the ability to deliver innovative solutions and problem solve, working co-operatively with others to achieve results.
  • Membership of the National Association of Planning Enforcement (NAPE) (Desirable)

Other requirements
  • This role requires travel around our boroughs. You should have a valid driving licence or the equivalent mobility.

For an informal discussion please contact the Recruitment Team through the Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council careers website.
Our Benefits
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown)
  • Hybrid/agile working from day one
  • Local Government pension
  • Healthcare Cash Plan for cash back on health treatments
  • Cashback website access for savings on brands you love
  • Volunteering days
  • Free parking
  • Car Allowance

Many of our colleagues work flexibly for us. We\'re always open to conversations around different working arrangements. If you\'re interested in part-time, compressed hours or any other working arrangement, please get in touch with us through the \"Contact Us\" form on our careers website.
About Us
At South Ribble Council, our mission is to provide a first-class service and improve the quality of life for our communities. Our staff are our greatest resource in helping us achieve this. They\'re at the heart of everything we do and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services.
Working Together
We share a number of our services with Chorley Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back-end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Additional information
Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date.
Equal Opportunities
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices.
We\'re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the \"Contact Us\" page on our website.
If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of a post, you will be guaranteed an interview. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement) employer: Chorley Council & South Ribble Council

At South Ribble and Chorley Borough Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values our staff as our greatest resource. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a Local Government pension.

Chorley Council & South Ribble Council

Contact Details:

Chorley Council & South Ribble Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement)

Join Compliance Communities

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Attend Industry Conferences

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Compliance Officer (Planning Enforcement)

Strong knowledge of planning enforcement procedures and laws
Ability to interpret legislation and regulations
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
Interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement
Problem-solving aptitude
Experience in conducting site visits and investigations
Ability to manage and prioritise a mixed caseload

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.

Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!

Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Chorley Council & South Ribble Council. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council & South Ribble Council

Master the Regulations

Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!

Show Your Analytical Skills

Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!

Know Your Tools

Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!

Align with Company Culture

Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Chorley Council & South Ribble Council’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!