Graduate Planner (Development Management) in London

The Oxford Street Development Corporation is an organisation whose work is helping to shape the future of one of London’s most iconic places. The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm, safer, cleaner streets, and to support high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving. The OSDC is a rapidly growing organisation fully dedicated to restoring Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.

About the role

The Oxford Street Development Corporation is establishing a new planning service for one of Central London’s most significant and high-profile locations. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career planner to help support the delivery of a new, proactive and design-led Local Planning Authority. As a Graduate Planning Officer/Planning Officer you will support the Development Management team in handling planning applications, pre-application enquiries, planning research, site analysis, consultation processes and related casework. You will work alongside experienced planners and specialists, helping to ensure that proposals are assessed clearly, fairly and efficiently. The OSDC area includes a nationally important commercial, cultural, retail and historic environment, with significant opportunities for regeneration, public realm improvement, inclusive design, heritage enhancement and high-quality development. This role will give you the opportunity to develop your planning skills in a fast-moving and high-profile environment, while contributing to outcomes that will shape the future of Oxford Street and its surrounding area.

What your day will look like

• Support the processing and assessment of planning applications, pre-application enquiries and related development management casework.
• Assist with site visits, planning history checks, policy research, consultation reviews and case analysis.
• Prepare draft reports, correspondence, briefing notes, consultation summaries and planning assessments under supervision.
• Help assess proposals against relevant planning policy, design, heritage, sustainability, accessibility, transport, amenity and public realm considerations.
• Liaise with applicants, agents, residents, businesses, statutory consultees, local authorities and internal colleagues in a professional and helpful way.
• Support Planning Committee preparation, including report checking, presentation material, briefing notes and follow-up actions.
• Help maintain accurate records, update case management systems, monitor deadlines and support good customer service.
• Contribute to wider service improvement, templates, guidance, procedures and the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan where required.

Skills, Knowledge and experience

• Degree-level qualification in planning, urban studies, geography, architecture, regeneration, built environment or another relevant discipline.
• An interest in development management, urban regeneration, design quality, public realm, heritage, sustainability and place shaping.
• Some understanding of the planning system, including planning applications, national planning policy, the London Plan, local planning policy and the role of a Local Planning Authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate and well-structured advice.
• Good analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to manage tasks, deadlines and competing priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, applicants, consultees and stakeholders, while demonstrating good judgement, curiosity and a commitment to public service.

Communicating and influencing

• Communicates openly and inclusively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Presents information clearly, accurately and in a way that is easy to understand.
• Listens carefully and asks appropriate questions to understand different viewpoints.
• Writes clearly and concisely for different audiences.
• Seeks advice where needed and uses feedback to improve the quality of communication.

Building and managing relationships

• Builds positive working relationships with colleagues, applicants, consultees and stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively as part of a team and contributes to shared objectives.
• Treats others with respect, professionalism and fairness.
• Shares information appropriately and keeps others updated on progress.
• Seeks to understand different perspectives and contributes to constructive problem solving.

Decision making

• Is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.
• Uses available evidence, policy and guidance to support recommendations.
• Recognises when advice or escalation is needed.
• Considers relevant planning issues before reaching a view.
• Keeps clear records of advice, actions and decisions.
• Demonstrates awareness of OSDC’s decision-making processes and how to use them.

Planning and organising

• Organises own workload and manages tasks in line with agreed priorities.
• Meets deadlines and keeps colleagues informed of progress.
• Pays attention to detail, ensuring work is accurate and well presented.
• Identifies issues early and seeks support where needed.
• Responds flexibly to changing priorities while maintaining quality.

This role is based at 19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ, with an expectation of hybrid working in the office 2-3 days a week.

Benefits

OSDC staff are hybrid working up to three days a week in the office and remotely, depending on their role. In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks. We also offer an attractive range of benefits, including 30 days annual leave, interest-free season ticket loan, interest-free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London’s diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We especially encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and the role offers flexible working arrangements. We welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time work as this role is open to job share. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will invite applicants who meet the essential criteria to interview automatically, and we will gladly accommodate any necessary adjustments during the recruitment process.