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- Tasks: Help shape Swindon's economic future through planning and development initiatives.
- Company: Join Swindon Borough Council, a forward-thinking local authority committed to inclusive growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work-life balance, personal development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while working on exciting regeneration projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning and economic development is essential; strong stakeholder engagement skills are a plus.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Planning and Economic Development Officer
Join to apply for the Planning and Economic Development Officer role at Swindon Borough Council
Planning and Economic Development Officer
4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Planning and Economic Development Officer role at Swindon Borough Council
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Swindon Borough Council provided pay range
This range is provided by Swindon Borough Council. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Planning and Economic Development Officer Ref: 260
Salary: £35,235 p.a. plus benefits
37 hours per week
Join Us in Shaping Swindon’s Economic Future
Swindon Borough Council is on an ambitious journey to transform how we deliver services and shape the future of our town. Our new Swindon Plan and Heart of Swindon Vision sets out a bold vision for inclusive, sustainable growth through Regeneration and inward investment in the Borough —underpinned by realistic transformation programmes and a commitment to putting people, businesses, and communities at the heart of everything we do.
As part of our recently re-positioned Planning and Economic Development teams, you will play a pivotal role in delivering this vision. You’ll be joining a forward-thinking local authority where your work will directly influence regeneration, inward investment, and the creation of a more inclusive economy. This is your opportunity to help shape a better Swindon through better services, better places and better opportunities for all.
Your role: Planning for Growth and Investment
We are seeking a planning professional with proven experience in, or understanding of both planning and economic development to help deliver the Council’s strategic priorities. You will provide expert advice and support from an economic development perspective across the Council’s planning functions, ensuring that planning policy and development management processes actively enable high-quality regeneration, sustainable growth, and investment.
You Will
- Work closely with the Head of Inward Investment and Inclusive Economy and the Chief Planning Officer to unlock planning barriers and accelerate delivery of key regeneration and investment projects.
- Support the transformation of Swindon’s town centre and strategic employment areas.
- Ensure planning services are responsive to the needs of residents and businesses, and aligned with the Council’s inclusive economy and sustainability goals.
- Help shape the policy context to support new models of locality-based working and place leadership.
What We’re Looking For
This role is ideal for someone with a strong understanding of the intersection between planning and economic development. You may have a background in development management and planning policy but you will be expected to work flexibly across these areas to meet the evolving needs of the service.
Essential Experience Includes
- A track record of working within planning services in a local authority or similar setting.
- Direct experience supporting economic development initiatives through planning policy or development management.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
- A solutions-focused, customer-oriented approach to service delivery.
Why Swindon?
Swindon is a town with huge potential. With major regeneration projects underway, a growing business base, and a commitment to inclusive growth, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative team that’s making a real difference—shaping the places where people live, work, and invest.
Your next role
You will ordinarily focus in either development management, planning policy or planning enforcement as per the role profile but will work flexibly based on the operational needs of the service (should these change). This role is expected to focus on supporting economic development initiatives through the planning process.
Through your line manager, you will support the Chief Planning Officer and the Head of Inward Investment and Inclusive Economy to unlock planning barriers and provide the appropriate policy context to support key regeneration projects, transform the town centre and support the council’s emerging new ways of localities working.
You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).
Your next package
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details.
Please see our new Swindon Plan
Your next steps
Read the role profile and to apply please send your CV and cover letter to resourcing@swindon.gov.uk quoting the ref number 260 outlining your skills and experience.
Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion regarding the position, the organisation and the team structure, please contact Andrew Wells, Head of Inward Investment & Inclusive Economy, email awells6@swindon.gov.uk
As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion
Closing date: 21 July 2025
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Planning and Economic Development Officer employer: Swindon Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Swindon Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning and Economic Development Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Swindon's current regeneration projects and economic development initiatives. Understanding the local context will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the planning and economic development sectors. Attend local council meetings or community forums to connect with key stakeholders, which can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder engagement. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully collaborated across departments or with external partners, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in planning policy and economic development. Being knowledgeable about current best practices will allow you to speak confidently about how you can support Swindon Borough Council's strategic priorities.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning and Economic Development Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Planning and Economic Development Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are passionate about this role and how you can contribute to Swindon Borough Council's vision. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your suitability.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on showcasing your experience in planning services and economic development. Include any direct involvement in regeneration projects or stakeholder engagement that aligns with the council's goals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swindon Borough Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what the Planning and Economic Development Officer role entails. Familiarise yourself with Swindon Borough Council's strategic priorities and how this position contributes to their vision for inclusive growth and regeneration.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in planning services or economic development initiatives. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully navigated planning barriers or contributed to policy development, as this will demonstrate your capability to fulfil the role's requirements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since strong stakeholder engagement is crucial for this role, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with various departments or external partners. Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively and your solutions-focused approach to service delivery.
✨Align with Council Values
Research Swindon Borough Council's values and mission. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding community engagement and sustainable development. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.
