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- Tasks: Lead major planning applications and tackle complex development issues.
- Company: Join a dynamic local authority in North London focused on regeneration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with competitive pay and potential contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the community while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-qualified town planner with local authority experience and strategic project management skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to represent the Council at public inquiries and develop junior staff.
Our client is a local authority based in North London and they require a Principal Planning Officer within their Development Management team. Reporting to the Area Manager, you will take a lead role within the team managing major and complex planning applications and dealing with contentious development control issues. You will undertake projects which will contribute to the regeneration and economic development of the borough.
As a more senior member of the team, you will be expected to represent the Council by preparing and presenting expert and professional evidence at public inquiries, informal hearings, and in court. You will regularly be required to provide professional advice to Council members, senior officers, applicants, and the public on planning applications, development proposals, and related matters. You will deputise for the Area Team Leader as required and assist in developing Planning Performance Agreements and providing pre-application advice on complex cases.
To carry out this role, you will need to be a degree-qualified town planner with recent experience of having worked within a local authority development management team. You will also have significant strategic major development experience, working on high-profile applications both pre-app and live cases. You will need to have experience of supervising junior staff and signing off delegated applications for this role. Ideally, you will have London experience and a comprehensive understanding of the current issues and developments affecting planning, regeneration, and local government in London.
This will initially be offered as a 12-month contract, but it could be extended beyond this. Our client is looking to pay between £45-£50p/hr Umbrella (this role is inside IR35). This will be a hybrid role.
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Principal Planner employer: Osborne Richardson
Contact Detail:
Osborne Richardson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the planning sector, especially those who have experience working within local authorities. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in urban planning.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific planning policies and challenges faced by the local authority in North London. Understanding their current projects and priorities will help you demonstrate your knowledge and commitment during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with major development applications in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex cases and navigated contentious issues, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting any experience you have in supervising junior staff or leading projects. This will be important as the role involves mentoring others and taking on a senior position within the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in local authority development management. Emphasise your strategic major development experience and any high-profile applications you've worked on.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your qualifications align with the role of Principal Planner. Mention your degree in town planning and your experience supervising junior staff, as well as your understanding of current planning issues in London.
Showcase Your Expertise: Prepare to demonstrate your ability to prepare and present expert evidence. Include examples of past experiences where you represented your council or organisation at public inquiries or hearings.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Since the role involves providing professional advice to various stakeholders, emphasise your communication skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex planning matters to council members, senior officers, and the public.
How to prepare for a job interview at Osborne Richardson
✨Showcase Your Expertise
As a Principal Planner, you'll need to demonstrate your extensive knowledge of planning regulations and local government processes. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving major developments or contentious issues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would handle complex planning applications or public inquiries, and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
Since this role involves supervising junior staff and deputising for the Area Team Leader, emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or mentored colleagues in previous roles.
✨Understand Local Issues
Familiarise yourself with current planning issues and developments in London. Being able to discuss these topics will show your commitment to the role and your understanding of the local context, which is crucial for a position within a local authority.
