At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a new Local Plan and shape planning policy in Surrey.
- Company: Join Surrey Heath Borough Council, committed to community engagement and excellent service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23-28 days annual leave, pension scheme, free parking, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local government transformation and public services.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town/Urban Planning or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 41306 - 46378 £ per year.
Join Surrey Heath Borough Council and be part of an organisation which is committed to delivery through meaningful community engagement and excellent customer service. We have a friendly and supportive staff culture with people who want to help make a real difference in our community for everyone that lives and works here. We support a culture of innovation and creativity by welcoming new ideas from everyone. We support a work-life balance with options for flexible and hybrid working.
From April 2027, Surrey Heath Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, as part of a major local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey. West Surrey will cover the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking. Joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.
The Role: We are looking to recruit to a Senior / Principal Planning Policy Officer post, potentially as a career graded role, within the Planning Policy and Conservation Team. You will be joining a small, busy and friendly team responsible for the preparation of a new Local Plan and associated planning policy tasks. Now is a good time to join the authority as we embark on the production of a new local plan under the new plan-making system. The role provides the opportunity to develop experience across all aspects of Planning Policy in a Borough that contains both urban and rural areas, including areas of Metropolitan Green Belt. You must be an enthusiastic and proactive town planner with experience in local plan-making and Planning Policy. You will have excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills and will be happy to take the initiative in managing and driving forward projects. You will be prepared to take responsibility for leading on key topics and will play a key role in the development and delivery of the Local Plan Review 2044. For this role a degree or MSc in Town and Country Planning/Urban Planning, or equivalent is essential.
Additional Information: We offer a generous benefits package including a minimum of 23 days’ annual leave rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, a generous local government pension scheme, free parking for all employees and payment of a professional membership fee. As well as subsidised gym membership at our local Places Leisure Centre and great savings from supermarkets, shopping, cycle to work schemes and holidays. A laptop will be provided to enable hybrid working.
Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment, we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff.
How to apply: Please apply online via the link provided. If you are unable to apply online for reasons of disability, please call 01276 707126 to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be made to accommodate your individual requirements. Please note: All successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks in line with BPSS guidelines, which includes standard identification, referencing and unspent conviction checks. Surrey Heath Borough Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
For the best chance of successful application, please read the Job Description and Personal Specification fully before applying for this vacancy as it contains information you will need to refer to when applying. We do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed application form. To reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. If you choose to submit your CV with your application form we request that you remove all your personal details before uploading your CV. This will ensure that Managers cannot see your personal details when completing their shortlist. If you have not heard from the council within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. All unsuccessful applications will be removed and confidentially disposed of 6 months after the closing date.
If you have any further enquiries please email recruitment@surreyheath.gov.uk or telephone 01276 707126.
Strategic Planning Policy Lead – Local Plan & Growth employer: Surreyheath
Surrey Heath Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises community engagement and employee well-being, offering a supportive work culture where innovation is encouraged. With a generous benefits package, including flexible working options and opportunities for career development as the council transitions to a new unitary authority, employees can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance in a vibrant local environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Planning Policy Lead – Local Plan & Growth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning policy field, especially those at Surrey Heath Borough Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's current projects and challenges. Show us that you're not just interested in the role but also in making a real difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it's verbal or written, being able to articulate your ideas clearly is key. We want to see how you can lead discussions and drive projects forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process closely.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Planning Policy Lead – Local Plan & Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description and personal specification. This will help you understand what Surrey Heath Borough Council is looking for and tailor your application accordingly.
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in local plan-making and planning policy. Use specific examples to demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as your proactive approach to managing projects.
Be Yourself:Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Surrey Heath Borough Council values creativity and innovation, so share your unique ideas and how you can contribute to the team.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply online via the link provided. Remember, we don’t accept CVs without a completed application form, so follow the instructions carefully!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surreyheath
✨Know Your Local Plan Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the current Local Plan and the upcoming changes. Familiarise yourself with Surrey Heath's planning policies and how they align with the new unitary council structure. This will show your genuine interest and preparedness.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Strategic Planning Policy Lead, effective communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex planning concepts to various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your written and verbal communication strategies during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactive Approach
Highlight instances where you've taken the initiative in past projects. Discuss how you’ve driven forward planning policies or led teams in developing local plans. This will illustrate your enthusiasm and capability to manage key topics effectively.
✨Engage with Community Engagement Strategies
Since the role involves meaningful community engagement, be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with communities or stakeholders to gather input for planning policies, showcasing your commitment to excellent customer service.
