At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Kingston’s places by delivering high-quality planning advice and managing diverse caseloads.
- Company: Join Kingston’s Planning Service, a leader in London’s complex planning environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable development and community engagement in a vibrant city.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning or relevant experience, with strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for mentorship and advancement from Senior Planner to Principal Planner.
The predicted salary is between 42060 - 52194 £ per year.
Salary: £42,060 – £52,194 - Career Grade – H/I
Shape Kingston’s Places. Influence Decisions. Grow Your Career.
We’re looking for talented and motivated planning professionals to join Kingston’s Planning Service across Development Management and Planning Enforcement. This career-grade opportunity offers structured progression, meaningful responsibility and the chance to work at the heart of one of London’s most complex and rewarding planning environments.
Why Kingston?
Kingston operates within a demanding London planning context — high housing need, ambitious regeneration, climate‑led design expectations and strong community engagement. From strategic sites and sensitive heritage assets to enforcement challenges and Local Plan delivery, our planners play a vital role in shaping high‑quality, sustainable places.
This role offers flexibility, professional development and the opportunity to progress from Planner through to Principal Planning Officer, supported by strong leadership and a collaborative culture.
What you’ll do:
- Deliver high‑quality, timely and defensible planning advice to applicants, residents, Members and stakeholders.
- Manage a caseload aligned to your experience and grade, meeting statutory timescales and borough performance standards.
- Work collaboratively with internal services and external partners including the GLA, TfL, statutory consultees and community organisations.
- Support service improvement, digital transformation and modern ways of working.
- Promote inclusive engagement, sustainable development and equitable outcomes across all planning activities.
Depending on your specialism, you will also:
- Development Management
- Assess and determine planning applications, undertake site visits and negotiations, and prepare delegated and committee reports.
- Represent the Council at appeals, hearings and inquiries at Senior and Principal level.
- Planning Enforcement
- Investigate alleged breaches of planning control, prepare formal enforcement actions and represent the Council at appeals, hearings and court proceedings.
- Work collaboratively to secure proportionate, negotiated compliance where appropriate.
Career progression:
- Senior Planner (H–I): Leading complex work, mentoring colleagues and supporting Member engagement.
- Principal Planner (J): Leading major and sensitive work, providing quality assurance, mentoring staff, exercising delegated authority and deputising for the Lead Officer.
What we’re looking for:
- A degree in Town Planning or a related built‑environment discipline or experience in an enforcement environment e.g. Local Authority or Police.
- Commitment to professional development, with or eligible for RTPI or other professional body (for enforcement) membership or progression toward chartered status (as appropriate to grade).
- Strong professional judgement, clear communication skills and a collaborative approach.
- Experience relevant to your specialism (Development Management, Policy or Enforcement), with the ability to work confidently in a complex London borough context.
Join us and build your planning career in Kingston — shaping places, supporting communities and progressing through a clear, supported professional pathway.
Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in Kingston upon Thames employer: The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited
Contact Detail:
The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend local planning events or workshops to meet industry professionals. We can’t stress enough how valuable connections can be in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past projects and experiences relevant to development management and enforcement. This will help us see your skills in action during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. We want you to feel confident discussing your experience and how it aligns with Kingston’s needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Development Management or Enforcement. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of Kingston’s Planning Service.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us know why you’re excited about shaping Kingston’s places! Share your thoughts on sustainable development and community engagement, as these are key aspects of the role that we value highly.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your qualifications and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in Kingston.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and regulations relevant to Kingston. Familiarise yourself with local challenges like housing needs and community engagement, as these will likely come up in your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage complex planning applications or enforcement cases. Highlight any successful negotiations or collaborations with stakeholders, as this will show your practical experience.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to convey complex planning concepts to various audiences, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics at Kingston. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you. Think about asking how the team approaches community engagement or handles enforcement challenges.