Principal Policy and Information Officer

Are you looking for working arrangements that enhance your work-life balance?

Do you want to join a positive and ambitious team?

Do you have an excellent understanding of national, regional and local planning policy?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Spatial and Transport Planning service for a Principal Policy and Information Planner to be based within a team of professional planners leading on the development of the Wandsworth and Richmond Local Plans and related policies. There has never been a more challenging - or rewarding - time to work for Richmond and Wandsworth.

About the role

The Principal Policy and Information Planner will act as a professional expert, lead on the implementation and delivery of planning policy, including Local Plan Making, as well as information and monitoring projects, providing definitive professional advice for the Council, creating and applying planning policy and best practice and delivering successful planning outcomes.

You will also be responsible for overseeing the work of Senior Planners and Planners on projects and programmes, including supervising, coaching and monitoring their outputs and performance on projects and programmes to help them acquire the skills and knowledge so that they can become self-reliant in dealing with technical and people issues. You will work with the Spatial Planning and Design Team Manager to ensure that corporate and national targets are met and exceeded.

The role is based within the Richmond and Wandsworth Better Services Partnership and will involve working on both boroughs' Local Plans.

Who we are

We are part of the Place Division and the Spatial and Transport Planning Service under the wider Chief Executive Directorate.

We are positive and ambitious - When you join us, you'll apply the same approach.

You will

Lead the work of, and oversee a progressive team of planning professionals in providing definitive and professional advice for the two Councils.

Bring an excellent understanding of national, regional and local planning policy and associated legislative requirements and policy guidance.

Create and apply planning policy and strategy and deliver successful planning outcomes.

Help to deliver a high quality, robust and transparent Spatial Planning service.

Ensure decision making within tight time frames and that the Spatial Planning service is recognised as delivering an excellent planning service for all of our customers.

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils