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.
- Other info: Nestled between National Landscapes, just 30 minutes from London, offering a perfect work-life balance.
- 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.
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
Sevenoaks District Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive team environment where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on employee growth through training and development opportunities, along with generous benefits like enhanced annual leave and discounts, this role as a Benefits Assistant provides a rewarding career path in local government.
Contact Details:
Sevenoaks District Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Career Grade Planner in Sevenoaks
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Sevenoaks District Council who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
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Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Career Grade Planner in Sevenoaks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Sevenoaks District Council!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Sevenoaks District Council. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sevenoaks District Council
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Sevenoaks District Council.
