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Planning and Economic Growth is dedicated to leading the sustainable development of our city, enabling it to deliver sustainable growth and meet present and future needs whilst improving its environment and everyone’s quality of life.
Your new role
As a Principal Planning Officer, you will play a lead role in shaping Portsmouth’s future by driving the preparation of the new Local Plan, which will guide development across the city for the next fifteen years. You will lead on key aspects of the preparation, monitoring and review of the Local Plan and other development plan documents, and on research and analysis to support the Local Plan as well as responding to planning legislation and guidance. Working directly with the Head of Planning Policy, you will take ownership of complex policy issues that influence the city’s social, economic and environmental priorities.
- Represent the Council at planning meetings and provide evidence and written representations for public examinations.
- Collaborate with colleagues, elected Members, neighbouring authorities and other stakeholders.
- Support and mentor junior planning staff, contribute to cross‑departmental work and demonstrate flexibility in supporting wider planning functions when required.
Who Is The Person
You will be an experienced planning professional with a Master’s degree in Town and Country Planning (or equivalent), MRTPI membership and substantial experience in planning policy. You’ll bring strong research and analytical skills, a solid understanding of planning legislation and procedures, and the ability to clearly summarise and present complex information. Experience in community engagement and working on issues critical to city planning is essential.
You will also be an effective communicator and team player, capable of building partnerships and contributing positively to a collaborative working environment. Strong project management, organisational skills, and the ability to manage your own workload are key. If you have a commitment to maintaining up‑to‑date professional knowledge and supporting the development of others, we would love to hear from you.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. You must demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
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Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Planning Policy Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your strong research and analytical skills through specific examples. We want to see how you've tackled complex policy issues in the past!
Communicate Clearly: Since effective communication is key, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Summarise your experiences in a way that’s easy to read and understand—this will help us see your potential as a team player.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!