Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of Sevenoaks by managing planning applications and collaborating with teams.
- Company: Join a high-performing local authority committed to innovation and people-first service.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 31 days annual leave, employee discounts, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while growing your planning career.
- Qualifications: Enthusiastic individuals with organisational skills; relevant degree preferred but not essential.
- Other info: Nestled between National Landscapes, just 30 minutes from London, offering a perfect work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Department: Development Management
Join our planning team to shape the future of Sevenoaks. We’re ambitious for our staff, our customers, and our Council. We offer planners:
- Variety and challenge
- High-profile projects, including strategic housing sites
- Clear pathways for progression
- Opportunities to influence the wider Development Management service
Close to London but surrounded by beautiful countryside, our work provides experience of urban areas, heritage assets and National Landscapes. We’re looking for passionate individuals to help shape the future of Sevenoaks District. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your planning career, this is your opportunity to make a real and lasting impact in one of Kent’s busiest and most forward-thinking planning departments.
Why Join Us?
- Career Growth: We’re committed to helping you grow. From graduates to experienced planners, you’ll have access to training, mentoring, and opportunities to work on a wide range of interesting applications and projects.
- Supportive Team Culture: Our planning teams are experienced, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. You’ll be surrounded by colleagues who are generous with their knowledge and invested in your success.
- Innovative Environment: We embrace smart working and cutting-edge tech, including 3D mapping and digital planning tools like Idox/Uniform and Enterprise. We’re always looking ahead.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing your own caseload of planning applications and pre-application enquiries
- Collaborating with teams across the Council to deliver excellent service
- Taking on new challenges and learning from experienced colleagues
- For Graduate and Planner roles: working on larger schemes with senior staff to build your expertise
- For Senior and Principal Planners: leading on complex projects and expanding your professional influence
What We’re Looking For
- Enthusiastic, motivated individuals who want to make a difference
- Organised professionals with an eye for detail and a commitment to deadlines
- A desire to learn, grow, and contribute to a thriving district
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for site visits
- A relevant degree is ideal, but we welcome applications from those with equivalent experience or transferable skills
Why Sevenoaks?
We’re proud to be a high-performing local authority that values innovation, collaboration and people-first service. You’ll be joining a team that cares deeply about its work and is committed to learning, development, and continuous improvement. You’ll be supported to make decisions, take initiative, and grow your career.
Outstanding Location: Nestled between two National Landscapes and just 30 minutes from central London, Sevenoaks offers the best of both worlds — natural beauty and urban connectivity.
What’s in it for you?
You’ll join a dynamic and forward-thinking team delivering services that matter. Every day is different, and the impact you’ll have on people’s quality of life is immediate and rewarding. We are one of the few local government authorities to hold Platinum Investors in People accreditation – our commitment to supporting and developing you is genuine and ongoing.
- Enhanced annual leave of up to 31 days depending on Salary Band (excluding bank holidays)
- Additional leave after 5 years of service
- Opportunities to join in with social activities
- Free parking
- Employee benefits including discounts on shopping, travel, days out and more, Tusker car salary sacrifice scheme and discounts with your MOT
- Access to BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, a free, 24/7, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service
Let’s Talk
We’d love to tell you more about the role and our team. For an informal chat, please contact:
- Alison Salter – 01732 227337
- Aaron Hill – 01732 227494
To find out more please visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/jobs
Closing date: 16 February 2025
Interview will be in person on the following dates: 24 and 26 February 2025
Career Grade Planner in Sevenoaks employer: Sevenoaks District Council
Contact Detail:
Sevenoaks District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Career Grade Planner in Sevenoaks
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the planning field. Attend local events, join online forums, or even reach out to current employees at Sevenoaks. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Sevenoaks District Council and its projects. Think about how your skills align with their goals. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your passion for planning and making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any relevant projects or experiences, create a portfolio to share during interviews. This could include case studies, designs, or even volunteer work that highlights your planning expertise and enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Sevenoaks team. So, get your application in and let’s make an impact together!
We think you need these skills to ace Career Grade Planner in Sevenoaks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Career Grade Planner. We want to see your passion for planning and how you can contribute to shaping the future of Sevenoaks.
Showcase Your Experience: Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced planner, share relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage planning applications and collaborate effectively. We love seeing real examples of your work!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your potential.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our planning team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sevenoaks District Council
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and local issues in Sevenoaks. Being able to discuss current projects or challenges in the area will show your passion and knowledge, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves managing a caseload of planning applications, be ready to talk about how you stay organised and meet deadlines. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This position values a supportive team culture, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked effectively in teams before. Highlight any collaborative projects you've been part of and how you contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you. Consider asking about the types of projects you might work on or how the team embraces innovative tools.