Senior Strategic Planner (London Plan & Strategic Planning)

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

The London Plan and Strategic Planning Team sit within the wider Planning and Regeneration Unit. Our work involves developing and implementing the London Plan to set the strategic planning framework for good growth across London – delivering housing and sustainable economic growth alongside meeting ambitious climate commitments and improving London’s environment and green spaces. We’re a friendly and inclusive team of innovators and experts who think long-term and big picture, without taking our eye off the detail.

Our team is organised into five small sub-teams. Four of the sub-teams cover thematic policy areas (housing, economy, design/environment, spatial strategy/infrastructure) and one leads on Local Plan conformity and liaison with authorities outside London. We work collaboratively both within our team and others across the organisation to pool ideas and expertise.

About the role

As a Senior/Strategic Planner in the Local Plans sub-team you will lead on implementing the London Plan by working closely with London boroughs to ensure that Local Plans are in general conformity with the London Plan. The role also supports the Mayor’s own plan-making through engaging with the new strategic authorities being established around London.

This is an exciting time to join the Local Plans team. Consultation on the draft new London Plan has just completed. Combined with significant changes to the local plan-making system, national policy and strategic planning, there is a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping new approaches and working collaboratively on the issues affecting development in London.

What your day will look like:

• Reviewing borough Local Plans at all stages of preparation and drafting formal Mayoral responses, agreeing Statements of Common Ground, and occasionally attending examination hearings to represent the Mayor.
• Co-ordinating input into Local Plan responses from relevant teams across the GLA and with Transport for London (TfL) and Mayoral bodies.
• Advising boroughs on a wide range of London Plan policy, providing on-going guidance and support to address general conformity issues and bring borough Local Plans into closer alignment with the London Plan.
• Regularly briefing the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Fire Safety on borough Local Plan and general conformity matters and providing input for Mayor’s and London Assembly reports and briefings.
• Developing and managing working relationships with local and regional authorities and other external stakeholders (for example statutory consultees) on planning policy issues relevant to strategic collaboration.
• Deputising for the Team Leader as required to represent the GLA at external forums.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Qualification in planning or related degree/post graduate qualification (which would make you at least MRTPI eligible) and relevant experience as a senior planner within a similar organisation or business environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the spectrum of national, regional and London (strategic and local) spatial planning issues, legal processes and planning tools.
• Good track record of giving high-level professional advice and making recommendations relating to complex and/or sensitive issues at a senior level.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively to a range of different audiences and to prepare timely, clear and concise reports, presentations and briefings on technical issues.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to understand complex planning issues, identify key insights and develop practical recommendations.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and successfully with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including good negotiation skills and experience of managing competing priorities in complex urban/political environments.

Building and managing relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

• Develops new professional relationships
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals

Communicating and Influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication
• Persuades others, using evidence based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

Planning and organising

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

Problem solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

Responding to pressure and change

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives
• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Karen Montgomerie would be happy to speak to you.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview/assessment date is: Interviews will be held in-person during the week commencing 14 December 2026 at either Union Street or Palestra Building.

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 particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. 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.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying:

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• Successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• At least 18 months service with the GLA.

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

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