Planning Policy Team Leader

Overview

If you have substantial experience of working within planning policy, including on local plans, can demonstrate the ability to work closely and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, and are able to support and develop staff, this could be the role for you.

This role is for internal candidates only.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Planning Policy is a large and well-resourced team within Spatial Planning and Climate Resilience, as part of our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate.

Our 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.

A key opportunity to shape the future is the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire that we are at the early stages of preparing, working across our different services and with our partners to develop an ambitious plan for Buckinghamshire. We are also active in supporting many town and parish councils as they prepare neighbourhood plans, as well as ensuring we have high quality development monitoring information in place to underpin all we do.

About the role

As an experienced planning policy professional, you will manage one of the two sub-teams within Planning Policy and take on complex and key work areas in preparing the Buckinghamshire Local Plan as well as a range of other planning policy work.

We want to play to your strengths but also provide the opportunity for you to develop and broaden your skills and experience.

We also want you to help others to grow and develop by line managing more junior officers, providing them with the 1:1 support they need to enable them to progress as they gain more experience and responsibility.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

 

About you

You will have excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills with a high level of personal expertise and experience in planning policy, particularly in relation to local plans. You will have an ability to support and develop staff, through performance management training and coaching, and be able to work collaboratively across teams and with partners.

You will have a planning degree and full membership of the RTPI (or be eligible for membership).

Other information

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

The team is currently working two days per week in one of the Council’s three principal offices in Aylesbury and High Wycombe, and three days at home.

Number of positions available: 1

Closing date: 23.00 on Sunday 27th  April 2025

Shortlisting date: Wednesday 30th April 2025

Interview-type / process: In person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: John Cheston, Planning Policy Manager at [email protected]or on 01494 732929.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works 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 Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s 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; you’ll 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 you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s 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 provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/