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- Tasks: Deliver high-quality planning advice and manage a diverse caseload.
- Company: Join Kingston's vibrant Planning Service in a dynamic London borough.
- Benefits: Generous leave, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Shape sustainable communities and advance your planning career with clear progression.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning or relevant experience, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentorship and innovative ideas.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
About the Borough
Found in zone 6 with good transport links in and out of London, Kingston is a vibrant and diverse university town which creates the rich sense of community shared across the borough and its residents. Kingston boasts an idyllic riverside location, good shopping and great restaurants, as well as a mix of modern and historic town centre. Kingston has lots of open parklands and cycle routes that help connect the district town centres into an enjoyable place to live and work.
We are passionate about working closely with our residents and vulnerable groups to help them maintain their independence and create a balance between support and independent living.
About the Service and Team
Shape Kingston's Places. Influence Decisions. Grow Your Career.
We're looking for talented and motivated planning professionals to join Kingston's Planning Service across Development Management and Planning Enforcement. This career-grade opportunity offers structured progression, meaningful responsibility and the chance to work at the heart of one of London's most complex and rewarding planning environments.
Why Kingston?
Kingston operates within a demanding London planning context - high housing need, ambitious regeneration, climate-led design expectations and strong community engagement. From strategic sites and sensitive heritage assets to enforcement challenges and Local Plan delivery, our planners play a vital role in shaping high-quality, sustainable places. This role offers flexibility, professional development and the opportunity to progress from Planner through to Principal Planning Officer, supported by strong leadership and a collaborative culture.
About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate
What you'll do:
- Deliver high-quality, timely and defensible planning advice to applicants, residents, Members and stakeholders.
- Manage a caseload aligned to your experience and grade, meeting statutory timescales and borough performance standards.
- Work collaboratively with internal services and external partners including the GLA, TfL, statutory consultees and community organisations.
- Support service improvement, digital transformation and modern ways of working.
- Promote inclusive engagement, sustainable development and equitable outcomes across all planning activities.
Depending on your specialism, you will also:
Development Management
- Assess and determine planning applications, undertake site visits and negotiations, and prepare delegated and committee reports.
- Represent the Council at appeals, hearings and inquiries at Senior and Principal level.
Planning Enforcement
- Investigate alleged breaches of planning control, prepare formal enforcement actions and represent the Council at appeals, hearings and court proceedings.
- Work collaboratively to secure proportionate, negotiated compliance where appropriate.
Career progression:
- Senior Planner (H-I): Leading complex work, mentoring colleagues and supporting Member engagement.
- Principal Planner (J): Leading major and sensitive work, providing quality assurance, mentoring staff, exercising delegated authority and deputising for the Lead Officer.
What we're looking for
- A degree in Town Planning or a related built-environment discipline or experience in an enforcement environment e.g. Local Authority or Police.
- Commitment to professional development, with or eligible for RTPI or other professional body (for enforcement) membership or progression toward chartered status (as appropriate to grade).
- Strong professional judgement, clear communication skills and a collaborative approach.
- Experience relevant to your specialism (Development Management, Policy or Enforcement), with the ability to work confidently in a complex London borough context.
Join us and build your planning career in Kingston - shaping places, supporting communities and progressing through a clear, supported professional pathway.
Our Offer to You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we're committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We're constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable staff to achieve a work life balance, some of which include:
A generous annual leave entitlement of 25-32 days, plus
Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in London employer: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Contact Detail:
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the planning field. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Kingston’s planning challenges and successes. Show us you’re passionate about shaping sustainable places and supporting communities. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in Development Management or Planning Enforcement can make a difference. We want to hear how you can contribute to our collaborative culture and help us tackle complex planning issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in Kingston.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Planner role. Highlight your relevant experience in Development Management or Planning Enforcement, and show us how you can contribute to Kingston's vibrant community.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your strong professional judgement and clear communication skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've successfully navigated complex planning scenarios.
Be Authentic: Let your personality come through in your application. We value a collaborative approach, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for planning and how you engage with communities in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and regulations relevant to Kingston. Familiarise yourself with local issues, such as housing needs and community engagement strategies, so you can speak confidently about how you would tackle these challenges.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your experience with internal services, external partners, and community organisations to demonstrate your ability to foster strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific planning scenarios, like assessing a complex application or dealing with enforcement issues. Think through your approach and be ready to discuss your decision-making process and the rationale behind it.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how they measure success in planning outcomes. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
