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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and shape the future of our borough with impactful decisions.
- Company: Swale Borough Council, a progressive local authority in Kent.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, flexible working, free parking, and wellness events.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on communities and inspire future placemakers.
- Qualifications: Strong planning policy knowledge and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture prioritising work-life balance and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Senior planners often reach a point where they want more than delivering individual schemes; they want to shape places and inspire placemakers. This role offers exactly that.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership position where your expertise and judgement will directly influence how our borough grows and evolves for generations to come. This role places you at the centre of strategic decision-making, community impact, and place-shaping.
As Chief Planning Officer, you will provide professional leadership for the planning service, setting the strategic direction for the Local Plan and ensuring consistently high standards across a committed team of 38. You will be a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a visionary leader who understands that effective planning underpins a strong local economy and sustainable communities.
Why Join Us?
- Influence & Legacy: As the professional lead on complex planning cases and policy development, your work will leave a tangible, long-term impact on the borough.
- Work-Life Balance: We prioritise outcomes over presenteeism, offering a culture that genuinely supports balance and flexibility.
- A Supportive Culture: You’ll join an organisation built on honesty, empathy, and collaboration - where working together truly matters.
An experienced planning leader with an excellent understanding of planning policy and law, strong strategic judgement, and a genuine passion for creating resilient, sustainable places.
About Swale Borough Council: Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work-life balance is high on our agenda.
Benefits:
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year.
- Free parking.
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities.
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey to & from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Annual flu vaccine.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping.
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals.
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role.
Chief Planning Officer in City of Westminster employer: Swale Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Swale Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Planning Officer in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the planning field. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in planning. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this as a visual aid to demonstrate how you can shape places and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations you admire, like Swale Borough Council, and express your interest in future opportunities. A little initiative can go a long way in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills and aspirations. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to the community’s growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Planning Officer in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Place-Shaping: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for creating sustainable communities shine through. We want to see how your vision aligns with our goal of shaping the future of our borough.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chief Planning Officer, you'll be leading a team and influencing strategic decisions. Make sure to showcase your leadership experience and how you've mentored others in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swale Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of planning policy and law. Brush up on the latest trends in urban development and sustainability, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss how your expertise aligns with the council's vision will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential leader.
✨Showcase Your Vision
As a Chief Planning Officer, you'll need to inspire others. Prepare to share your vision for the borough's future and how you plan to shape it. Think about specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully influenced planning outcomes or led a team towards a common goal.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role is all about working with others, so be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration within teams and across departments. Share examples of how you've built relationships with stakeholders and community members to achieve successful planning outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the council's current challenges in planning and how they envision the future of the borough. This shows that you're not only interested in the position but also invested in the community's growth.