PRINCIPAL SPATIAL PLANNING OFFICER

The role sits within our friendly and forward thinking Spatial Planning Team, which is responsible for the preparation of our innovative and pioneering Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of the national roll out of strategic planning, through playing a central role in progressing our emerging Liverpool City Region SDS to adoption. Our SDS will shape future development throughout the Liverpool City Region, with core goals of economic inclusion, social value, addressing health inequalities and meeting the challenge of climate change.

We work in partnership with our local authorities and stakeholders in the public, private and third sectors to develop the SDS. We are looking for a highly motivated Principal Spatial Planning Officer who is passionate about strategic planning, has a track record of preparing sound, evidence based planning policy, can work collaboratively and has a clear ambition to deliver results that will have a positive impact on the Liverpool City Region.

The postholder will play a significant role in the production of the SDS and its associated activities, including:

• Developing a robust evidence base across a number of different technical areas
• Writing sound policies
• Community engagement activities
• Progressing the SDS through the examination process
• Working collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues, both internal and external

You will have strong knowledge, experience, and understanding of planning policy and its associated processes, ideally at the strategic planning level. You will have a clear understanding of the opportunities (and challenges) that development of the SDS presents to the Liverpool City Region in delivering future growth and prosperity, as well as an understanding of the Liverpool City Region itself and the opportunities presented by devolution.

We want an exceptional individual with the ability to make a positive, meaningful impact on the development of our SDS, and who can work proactively, building strong relationships with stakeholders and our constituent local authorities. You will lead on the preparation of key evidence, and undertake analysis, consultation and policy development for the SDS, working with other team members in doing so. You will also recognise and actively support the links between the SDS and other areas of CA activity, including economic, housing, environmental, skills and investment policies.

You will be politically aware with the ability to work at pace and have a track record of operating in a complex policy environment. You will have excellent communication skills, and have a strong track record of collaborative working with a range of partners. You will also have demonstrable experience of working in a changing national planning context, and understanding what this means for your work.

Knowledge of the key issues facing the Liverpool City Region:

• Experience of developing planning policy at a strategic level, as well as at Local Plan level
• Good written and oral presentation skills with ability to present complex ideas in a clear and comprehensible way

The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure.

Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.

Staff Benefits:

• Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
• Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities. To be considered under one of these schemes, you must indicate your eligibility in the relevant section of the application form. In addition, you must clearly demonstrate in your application how you meet the key essential criteria listed above. Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.