Senior/Principal Strategic Planner x 2 in South Bank

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 role

This role is in the Development Management team within Planning and Regeneration, where you will be part of a high quality statutory planning service dealing with a wide variety of strategic planning applications with competing priorities. You will be assessing major planning applications that are referred to the Mayor, and will present your planning recommendations directly to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors. You will understand how to apply the London Plan in a pragmatic and sensible way that encourages and delivers the Mayor's objectives.

What your day will look like

Your job will involve a wide range of duties including:

• Leading pre-application meetings with developer teams and boroughs to discuss forthcoming major developments across London and provide strategic planning advice.
• Assessing planning applications of strategic importance that are referred to the Mayor and preparing written planning reports.
• Presenting planning recommendations directly to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors at the Mayor's weekly planning meeting.
• Working collaboratively with other teams across the GLA including viability, the Design Unit and the Place Unit, TfL, Environment and London Plan teams.
• Engaging with London boroughs and applicants to ensure delivery of Good Growth ambitions.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• You will have a degree/post graduate qualification in planning or equivalent with eligibility for RTPI membership.
• You will have demonstrable post-qualification experience in dealing with sensitive planning issues, preferably within the context of handling major planning applications.
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of national, regional and London strategic planning and development issues and relevant legal processes.
• You will be expected to present reports to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors directly so you will need excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You will also need exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to work successfully with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural Competencies

To be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate the following behavioural competencies:

• Strategic thinking: Understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.
• Planning and organising: Thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Problem solving: Analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.
• Building and managing relationships: Developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
• Communicating and influencing: Presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

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

This role is based at London Fire Brigade's Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV.
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria and behavioural competencies outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the CV and Cover Letters section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., CV applicant name - 012345).

As part of GLA's continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role, the hiring managers Areena Berktold or Katherine Wood would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at areena.berktold[at]london.gov.uk; katherine.wood[at]london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact glaopdcrecruitment[at]tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates.

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: w/c 20 April 2026.

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.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. 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.

Secondment Opportunity

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.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam[at]london.gov.uk. 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.