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- Tasks: Lead and mentor junior planners while managing complex planning applications.
- Company: Swale Borough Council, a progressive local authority in Kent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous holidays, and professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of planning while making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Proactive planner with expert knowledge and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Flexible work-life balance and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
Lead, Mentor, and Make an Impact
For senior planners ready to take the next step, this is a sought‑after chance to combine leadership with hands‑on, complex casework. As Principal Planning Officer, you’ll oversee some of the most challenging planning applications while guiding the next generation of planning professionals.
This isn’t just a technical role – it’s an opportunity to lead with influence. You’ll provide daily mentoring, sign‑off on complex applications, and ensure the service delivers high‑quality, efficient outcomes. You’ll also act as a key expert for householders, developers, and landowners, representing the Council at appeals, inquiries, and in Section 106 negotiations.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Mentorship & Leadership: Develop your leadership experience by supporting and guiding junior staff in a collaborative environment.
- High‑Level Exposure: Manage complex cases and negotiations, while representing the Council at hearings and examinations.
- Total Reward: Competitive Grade 8 salary, hybrid working model (average 2 days in‑office), 34‑hour week and ongoing professional development opportunities.
What We’re Looking For
A proactive, ambitious planner with expert knowledge, excellent judgement, and a commitment to improving outcomes for customers and the community. This is the perfect role for someone ready to grow as a leader without stepping away from the challenging, meaningful work they love.
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.
Our Offer
- A range of benefits including 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.
- 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.
Principal Planning Officer (Planning Applications) in England employer: Swale Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Swale Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planning Officer (Planning Applications) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other planning professionals. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Planning Officer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with complex casework and mentoring. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about the challenges you might face as a Principal Planning Officer and how you’d tackle them. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress when it’s time for the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re all about making the application process smooth and straightforward. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Swale Borough Council and being part of our ambitious team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planning Officer (Planning Applications) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: In your application, make sure to highlight any leadership experience you have. We want to see how you've mentored others or led projects, as this role is all about guiding the next generation of planners.
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your past work, focus on complex casework and negotiations you've handled. We’re looking for examples that demonstrate your expert knowledge and excellent judgement in planning applications.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Make it personal by aligning your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swale Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your planning knowledge, especially around complex applications and negotiations. Familiarise yourself with recent case studies or examples that showcase your expertise, as this will help you demonstrate your capability to handle the challenges of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in mentoring and leading teams. Think of specific instances where you've guided junior staff or influenced outcomes positively. This is a key part of the role, so be ready to highlight how you can shape the future of planning professionals.
✨Understand the Council's Vision
Research Swale Borough Council’s goals and values. Be prepared to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely interested in making an impact within the community.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the council's approach to complex cases or how they support professional development. Asking questions shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.