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- Tasks: Lead planning projects and supervise junior staff while managing planning applications.
- Company: Join Hackney Council, a dynamic borough committed to positive planning and community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a supportive environment focused on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Gain senior experience in a vibrant team dedicated to making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning and experience in mentoring required.
- Other info: Applications close on 29 August 2025; no CVs needed, just your unique voice.
Job Description
Hackney is one of Britain's fastest-changing and exciting boroughs. Our Development Management & Enforcement team provides a number of vital services within the Borough and promotes a culture of positive planning across the Council to maximise the benefits for our residents and businesses. We are looking to further strengthen our existing teams to maintain a high performing, high morale environment within the Planning Service. A number of opportunities across the teams are available, all vital to the successful operation of the DM and Enforcement function.
Offering an opportunity to obtain senior level experience, including supervision of junior members of staff as well as delegated powers to sign-off planning applications, this role comes with great responsibility and candidates will need to demonstrate a successful track record of organisational skills and reliability befitting of the role.
You must have a relevant post graduate qualification in Town Planning (or equivalent) which supports membership of, eligibility for the Royal Town Planning Institute and experience of mentoring staff.
You may be looking for your next career move and a promotion into a more senior role, or a senior officer wanting greater responsibility and delegated powers to determine planning applications, or supervision of more junior members of staff.
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button.
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.
To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.
As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
Closing date for applications: 29 August 2025 (22:59).
Interview and assessment date: W/C 15 September 2025
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
Senior Planning Officer employer: London Borough of Hackney
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Hackney's planning policies and recent developments in the borough. This knowledge will not only help you answer competency-based questions effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that showcase your organisational skills and ability to mentor junior staff. Think about situations where you've successfully led a project or improved a process, as these will be key in demonstrating your suitability for the senior level responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with current trends in urban planning and enforcement, particularly those relevant to Hackney. Being able to discuss contemporary issues and how they relate to the borough will set you apart during interviews and assessments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your alignment with Hackney Council's values in your responses. Reflect on how you embody qualities like being proud, ambitious, and inclusive, and prepare to discuss how you can contribute to fostering a positive environment within the Planning Service.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Planning Officer position. Pay special attention to the skills and experiences they are looking for, such as organisational skills and mentoring experience.
Craft Competency-Based Responses: Prepare for the competency-based questions by reflecting on your past experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, ensuring you highlight relevant examples that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Make sure to clearly mention your relevant postgraduate qualification in Town Planning and any membership with the Royal Town Planning Institute. This is crucial as it directly relates to the eligibility criteria for the position.
Personal Touch: Avoid using AI tools for your application. Instead, write in your own voice to convey authenticity and personal insight. This will help you stand out and show your genuine interest in the role and the values of Hackney Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hackney
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Senior Planning Officer, you'll need to demonstrate strong organisational skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple projects or tasks simultaneously, highlighting your ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
✨Emphasise Your Mentoring Experience
Since the role involves supervising junior staff, be ready to discuss your mentoring experience. Share specific instances where you guided or supported less experienced colleagues, showcasing your leadership style and commitment to team development.
✨Align with Council Values
Hackney Council values pride, ambition, and inclusivity. Research these values and think of examples from your career that reflect them. During the interview, express how your personal values align with those of the Council to demonstrate your fit for the organisation.
✨Prepare for Competency-Based Questions
The application process includes competency-based questions. Familiarise yourself with common competencies related to planning and enforcement roles. Prepare structured responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly articulate your relevant skills and experiences.
