The Role

• 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 you answered yes, we want to hear from you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Spatial and Transport Planning service for a new permanent Senior Planner (Policy) to be based within a small team of officers leading on the development of the Wandsworth Local Plan 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 an area of planning policy, including leading on the drafting and refinement of policies for the emerging Local Plans, 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, including on producing evidence for the Local Plans, and its broader implementation within the borough, as allocated by the Principal Planner (Policy) and the Planning Policy and Design Team Manager.

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.

You will need to bring an excellent understanding of national, regional and local planning policy and associated legislative requirements and policy guidance.

The role is based within the Shared Staffing Arrangement and will initially involve mainly working on the Wandsworth Local Plan. However, there will also be an opportunity to work on Richmond planning policy matters.

Who are we
Wandsworth is a thriving inner London Borough on the southern banks of the River Thames that is steeped in a diverse history. The borough features landmarks such as the iconic Battersea Power Station, Ram Brewery and Clapham Junction Station, and is acknowledged for its famous green spaces such as Wandsworth and Clapham Commons, Putney Heath and the Grade II* listed Battersea Park.

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

You will:

• Take a key role in a small team of planning professionals in providing definitive and professional advice for the councils.
• Create and apply planning policy and strategy and deliver successful planning outcomes.
• Help to deliver high quality, robust, and transparent Planning Policy service.
• Ensure decision making within tight time frames and that the Spatial and Transport 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 Andrea Kitzberger-Smith, Planning Policy and Design Team Manager on 020 8891 7364 or email a.kitzberger-smith@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk, or Adam Hutchings, Principal Planner (Policy), on 020 8871 6650 or email Adam.Hutchings@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

Benefits
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 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.

How to apply?
Please register, submit your CV and a supporting statement addressing how you meet the requirements of this role. If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0208 871 8825 or recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 7 February 2021
Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 8 February 2021
Interview Date(s): Week commencing 15 February or 22 February 2021

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.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams, including BAME.

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.

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