About Us

Job Title: Senior Planner (Policy)  

Salary Range: PO2-PO4  £38,133 to £52,632 Depending on Skills and Experience

Full Time, Permanent, 36 hours 

Location: Home working and Offices based in Wandsworth and Richmond

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 Better Service Partnership and will involve working on both boroughs’ Local Plans.  

Who we are 

We are part of the Place Division and the Spatial and Planning Service under the wider Chief Executive’s 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 and Transport Planning service is recognised as delivering an excellent planning service for all of our customers.  

Indicative Recruitment Timeline 

Closing Date:  Sunday 27^th October 2024 (23:59)

Shortlisting – W/C 28^th October 2024

Interviews – W/C  4^th November 2024 

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