Principal Planner

Job Description

If you have substantial relevant experience as a technical expert in the planning or environmental sector and are looking to develop your career, this could be the role for you.By joining us as a Principal Planning Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, youll not only be offered a competitive benefits package, youll also be part of a new team committed to shaping the future of Buckinghamshire for generations to comeAbout the roleYoull be responsible for managing and determining complex planning applications and lead on providing professional advice through all stages of the planning process, including PPAs, S106 negotiations and planning appeals as you provide a high-quality service that is responsive to customer demands.Our recent transformation to a unitary council is already creating diverse and multi-disciplined opportunities across the service, and we are excited to see what is to come. In this rewarding and fulfilling role, youll see the impact of your work in front of you.Career development is something we take seriously at Bucks; we love nothing more than seeing our colleagues grow with us, with many members of the team progressing quickly as they gain more experience and responsibilities within their specialist areas. We are committed to building an exceptional Development Management Team, utilising our colleagues talent, and making the most of what they have to offer.Claire Bayley, Major Development Manager at Buckinghamshire Council said, there are real opportunities to develop your career over time in varied, multi-disciplinary areas. By joining us as a Principal Planner, youll be dealing with more complex and strategic developments across the area, with opportunities for proactive engagement and project management of developments.With a strong and supportive senior management team behind you, youll play a key part in helping us achieve our Planning and Environment Business plan and drive forward our vision as a new unitary authority.About youNaturally, youll have excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills with experience of co-ordinating partnership working. Youll come to us with the relevant specialist experience of developing procedures, policies, and long-term strategies. Most importantly, youll be commercially focussed and enjoy building new relationships, with the welfare of our residents at the heart of what you do.Other informationOur response as an employer to Covid-19 has shaped the way we want to work in the future. Microsoft Teams, Skype, and vlogs from our Senior Leadership Team have all played their part in allowing us to become even more flexible in how, when, and where our teams work.There will be times where youll need to be in the office - whether thats for meeting clients or collaborating with peers - but we actively encourage our colleagues to adopt a flexible working approach and take control of their work-life balance. Our current vacancies are flexible and part-time work will be considered.If thats not enough reason to join us, youll be entitled to a range of benefits from Buckinghamshire Council including a very competitive employer pension contribution; a minimum of 25 days annual leave allowance per year; a flex-time scheme; and discounts in local shops, restaurants, and gyms.Take a look at our dedicated career social media pages @bucks_careers for exclusive content from our Planning Teams, and find out more about life at Buckinghamshire Council.For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Claire Bayley on This advert will close at midnight on Monday 5th April 2021.About the Business UnitOur Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate work with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Councils land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.Its a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; youll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.We recognise and reward youHard work and success deserves recognition. Thats why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme and the opportunity to gain membership to Costco. We have discounted gym memberships, Travel discounts with Arriva and Chiltern Railways and much more.