Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) in Ipswich

Suffolk County Council

Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working

Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.

At Suffolk County Council, we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. As a Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) in the Planning Team, you’ll find opportunities to develop your skills, make a meaningful impact, and shape the future of Suffolk.

Your role and responsibilities:

• Provide timely, clear and effective professional advice to the public, councillors and colleagues on a range of planning matters, which includes development management matters and the processes involved in consenting and delivering NSIPs.
• Attend inquiries and examinations in public to represent the county council on its position.
• Manage a caseload of complex planning applications, preparing reports for, and attendance at, Development and Regulatory Committee.
• Mentoring members of the Team in matters related to their professional development.

You will need:

• Essential: Degree in a development-related discipline (e.g. planning, transport, housing).
• Qualifications necessary for membership of a relevant professional organisation.
• Desirable: Member of Chartered Institute such as RTPI or RICS.
• Post-graduate qualification in a related discipline (e.g. economic development).

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team:

The Team comprises a small, but busy team of planners and other professionals working on a diverse range of projects. Working within a County Council, you will be part of shaping the planning process to further the broad interests and duties of the Council. The Team comprises the strategic planning and development management functions of the county council.

The county council has plan-making and development management functions, like other local planning authorities, for minerals and waste and for planning applications, the council is responsible for its own developments such as for schools, fire stations and roads. The strategic planning function interacts between Suffolk’s other local planning authorities and the county council’s other services in the production of local and neighbourhood plans and the delivery of infrastructure. This includes securing developer contributions through section 106 agreements or through the community infrastructure levy. The team also leads the Council’s contribution to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and Suffolk is a notable hot spot of activity, particularly related to energy projects. The team works closely with others within the council and outside the organisation, including the Economic Development Team which develops strategic policy with the Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Empowering Everyone:

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information:

Please contact Andy Rutter, Development Manager for a casual conversation. You can contact them by calling 01473 263766 or emailing andy.rutter@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply:

1. Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
2. Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
3. Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

• Describe your experience of managing complex planning applications. How do you prioritise competing deadlines, technical issues, consultation responses, and report preparation?
• Tell us about a time when you represented an organisation’s position at a public inquiry, examination, committee, or similarly formal/public setting.
• Give an example of when you identified the need for improvements to a planning process, procedure, or way of working. What action did you take and what was the outcome?
• Tell us about your experience of supporting, mentoring, or developing colleagues within a planning or professional team. How did you help them build confidence or capability?

1. Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 16 July 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.