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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major planning applications and support the Council's development projects.
- Company: Southend-on-Sea City Council, a vibrant local authority with a community focus.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a chance to impact local development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of Southend's residential landscape.
- Qualifications: Degree in planning and experience in managing large-scale applications required.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your New Organisation
Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. We are a vibrant place to live and work, offering coastal living alongside excellent and fast transport links into London.
We have some 180,000 residents, with 7 miles of waterfront, an international airport, a university, and great transport links to London and surrounding areas. The Planning team achieves nationally leading application performance and has a history of dealing with high-profile projects.
Your new role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Planner to join our Planning team on an interim basis. This full-time and interim role is for 6 months, offers a hybrid working pattern and presents an excellent opportunity for a senior planning professional to provide expert support during a key period for the service. We are seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and highly focused individual to act as the Principal Planner lead for the Council's handling of a decision on a major outline planning application for a 2000-home residential development within the City's green belt.
What you'll need to succeed
- Confident and experienced planning professional with strong technical knowledge.
- Sound professional judgement and excellent communication skills.
- Comfortable managing complex caseloads in an interim environment.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
- Strong working knowledge of existing and emerging policy, very special circumstances assessment, environmental and green belt matters.
- Good experience of handling large scale residential planning applications and presenting to Planning Committees.
- Excellent analytical, organisational and report writing skills.
- Proactive operation with minimum supervision and sound experience of working in or with multidisciplinary teams.
- Robust understanding of the political context, stakeholder dynamics and decision-making processes within local planning authorities.
- Strong track record of resolving conflict, negotiating pragmatic solutions, and maintaining effective relationships.
Your application will not be considered if you do not have a degree in planning.
If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above, so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.
The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.
Principal Planner in Southend-on-Sea employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planner in Southend-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the planning field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local planning policies and recent projects in Southend. Show them you’re not just a planner, but a passionate advocate for the community!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Principal Planner, you’ll need to present to committees. Get comfortable with articulating your ideas clearly and confidently – it could make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planner in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Planner role. Highlight your relevant experience in handling large-scale residential planning applications and any specific projects that showcase your expertise in green belt matters.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong analytical, organisational, and report writing skills. We want to see how you’ve successfully managed complex caseloads and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to communicate your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! Our applications may close earlier than advertised, so get your application in as soon as possible through our website to ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Make sure you brush up on both existing and emerging planning policies relevant to the role. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Principal Planner, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex discussions or presented to Planning Committees in the past. This will highlight your ability to manage relationships and resolve conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss specific cases where your analytical skills made a difference. Whether it’s handling large-scale residential applications or assessing very special circumstances, having concrete examples will help you stand out.
✨Understand the Local Context
Familiarise yourself with Southend-on-Sea's unique characteristics, including its community needs and political landscape. Showing that you understand the local context will demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in the area.
