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- Tasks: Lead a team in shaping sustainable urban planning and active travel initiatives.
- Company: Join Active Travel England, a key player in transforming transport in towns and cities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a strong pension contribution.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in urban development and promote greener travel options.
- Qualifications: Experience in urban planning and strong leadership skills required.
Active Travel England 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.
Top Responsibilities
- Support ATE in delivering its spatial planning priorities through its plan-making and development management roles.
- Lead and 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.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to have 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 Committee 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.
Essential Membership:
Chartered membership of the RTPI or CIHT. You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential memberships at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
How to Apply
Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 10th May 2026.
Spatial Planning Team Leader in York employer: Department for Transport
Contact Detail:
Department for Transport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Spatial Planning Team Leader in York
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the spatial planning field. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with Active Travel England’s goals and how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience in urban planning and how it relates to active travel. Highlight your leadership skills and any successful projects you've managed. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Spatial Planning Team Leader in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Spatial Planning Team Leader. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your past jobs; tell us about specific projects or situations where you’ve made a real impact. We want to see your skills in action, especially in urban planning and stakeholder engagement.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of spatial planning, active travel policies, and sustainable transport. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in urban development, as well as the specific goals of Active Travel England. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Spatial Planning Team Leader, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your approach to staff development and onboarding. Be ready to discuss how you handle workloads and ensure quality outputs, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since building relationships with stakeholders is key, think of instances where you've successfully engaged with external parties. Prepare to discuss your communication and negotiation skills, and how you've achieved positive outcomes in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to position ATE as a centre of excellence.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your technical expertise, especially regarding major urban extensions and regeneration sites. Practice articulating your thought process when providing recommendations under pressure, and be ready to share experiences where you've presented to committees or given evidence at appeals. This will showcase your confidence and competence in high-stakes situations.