About Us

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 Planning service for a Senior Policy 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 Senior Planner (Policy) will independently manage areas of planning policy, including leading on Local Plan evidence base preparation, policy drafting and representing the Council at Examinations in Public in both Richmond and Wandsworth, providing comprehensive and detailed policy advice on planning applications, pre-application advice requests and correspondence to agreed and identifiable timescales.  

 You will also independently manage key specialist projects related to planning policy and the Local Plans’ broader implementation within the boroughs, as allocated by the Spatial Planning and Design Team Manager and under the supervision of the Principal Policy and Information Planners. 

 You will also have the opportunity to coach and supervise junior planning officers to help them acquire the skills and knowledge so that they can become self-reliant in dealing with technical and people issues.  

 The role is based within the Richmond and Wandsworth Shared Staffing Arrangement and will involve working on both boroughs’ Local Plans.  

 Please note that this is a 12-month fixed term maternity cover position. 

Who we are 

We are part of the Planning and Transport Strategy Division and the Spatial Planning Service under the wider Environment and Community Services Directorate. We are positive and ambitious – when you join us, you’ll apply the same approach.  

You will 

• Take a key role in 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.  

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Adam Hutchings, Spatial Planning and Design Team Manager by email adam.hutchings@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Agile working

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know. 

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home (dependent on service needs). Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if this is the option you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 40 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. 

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  7 January 2024

Shortlisting Date: w/c 8 January 2024

Interview Date: w/c 15 January 2024 

Useful Information:

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. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality Statement 

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams, including Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic people.

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.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils