Principal Planning Policy Officer

Principal Planning Policy Officer 
Location: South East London
Pay Rate: Up to £53 per hour (Umbrella, depending on experience)
Contract: 6 months ongoing
Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 2 days in the office per week, including Mondays
Client: Local Authority

About the RoleWe are currently recruiting for an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer to join a local authority in South East London on a 6-month ongoing contract.
The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and delivering the Council's planning policies, leading on statutory and non-statutory plan-making and ensuring that planning strategies support the borough's social, economic and environmental objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, development and implementation of statutory and non-statutory planning policies and strategies.
• Manage complex planning policy projects, ensuring compliance with national and local planning legislation and guidance.
• Lead on Local Plan preparation, reviews, consultations and supporting evidence.
• Commission and manage specialist planning evidence and research undertaken by external consultants.
• Represent and defend planning policies at public examinations, hearings and appeals.
• Provide expert planning policy advice to senior officers, elected members, developers and external stakeholders.
• Ensure planning policies support the Council's wider regeneration, housing, economic and environmental objectives.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments and external organisations to deliver effective planning strategies.
• Support the Head of Plan Making and Place Shaping, deputising when required.
• Provide guidance, supervision and line management to junior planning policy officers where necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning policy processes and service delivery.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience working as a Senior or Principal Planning Policy Officer within a local authority or similar planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the planning system, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Local Plans and relevant planning legislation.
• Proven experience preparing and implementing statutory planning policies.
• Experience leading complex planning policy projects and managing competing priorities.
• Experience supporting Local Plan examinations, public consultations or planning appeals.
• Ability to prepare detailed planning reports, policy documents and technical advice.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience working independently and providing specialist planning policy advice.
• Ability to attend the office 2 days per week, including Mondays.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience deputising for senior planning management.
• Experience supervising or line managing junior planning policy staff.
• Experience commissioning and managing external planning consultants.
• Knowledge of London planning policy, including the London Plan.
• Relevant degree or professional qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

If you are an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer and interested in this opportunity, please apply with your most up-to-date CV, confirming your availability and relevant planning policy experience.

Please note: This vacancy may close at short notice due to high demand. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone or email.