Team Leader Development Management

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with conservation areas, historic buildings, social enterprises and a young, diverse, and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together underpins all that we do.

Looking to elevate your planning career in a bold, urban borough with big ambitions? Southwark Council’s Planning & Growth team is calling for a visionary Team Leader in Planning Development to join one of London’s most dynamic development landscapes.

Your mission:

• Manage your own caseload of planning applications while supervising junior planners.
• Clear delegated reports and issue decision notices.
• Provide expert planning advice to Members, senior officers, and stakeholders.
• Represent the council in high-stakes negotiations with developers and external bodies.
• Present complex cases to the Planning Committee with clarity and authority.
• Innovate service delivery and promote continuous improvement across the team.
• Monitor planning policy impact and mitigate legal or reputational risks.
• Collaborate across council teams to ensure joined-up project delivery aligned with strategic goals.

What We're Looking For

• A proven understanding of urban planning issues and the ability to tackle complex planning issues with clarity and creativity.
• An enthusiastic, customer-first mindset, driven to help shape the future of Southwark’s urban landscape.
• Passion for learning, team development, and making a meaningful impact.
• Able to demonstrate how your insights have contributed to the achievement of strategic Planning goals.
• The capability to work in a fast-paced environment, maintaining high standards of attention to detail while meeting deadlines.
• Strong leadership skills either as an established team leader or an ambitious planner ready to take the step up.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation abilities, especially in politically sensitive environments.
• In-depth understanding of development management issues, urban regeneration, and planning law.
• Experience preparing high-quality reports and advising senior stakeholders.

This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our modern London Bridge office.

Additional Information

• Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on the 2nd of June 2025
• Interview Date: The 9th of June 2025

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Salary Range (Full time equivalent): £52,674 - £59,772