Senior Planning Policy Officer

Overview

We’re looking for a motivated and experienced Senior Planning Policy Officer to play a key role in shaping the future of Buckinghamshire. If you’re passionate about creating high‑quality places, influencing strategic planning, and delivering meaningful outcomes for local communities, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

As a senior member of the Planning Policy team, you’ll lead on complex workstreams, contribute to the development of the Council’s Local Plan, and support a wide range of planning policy initiatives that help guide sustainable growth across the county.

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. 

We are committed to delivering a high‑quality, customer‑focused planning function that supports the county’s needs now and in the future. We work collaboratively with communities, Members, internal colleagues, stakeholders, and partner organisations to prepare evidence‑based planning policies, develop statutory and non‑statutory policy documents, and ensure our Local Plans are robust, responsive, and aligned with national policy. We’re passionate about improvement, innovation, and delivering the best possible outcomes for the residents of Buckinghamshire.

About the role

As a Senior Planning Policy Officer, you’ll take a leading role in developing planning policy, preparing evidence, and supporting strategic planning activities across Buckinghamshire. You’ll work with minimal supervision, lead on specific projects, and represent the Council in a variety of internal and external settings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the preparation of statutory Local Plans and the wider planning policy framework.
• Leading the production of non‑statutory planning guidance, including design guides and monitoring reports.
• Providing expert planning policy advice to internal teams, Members, stakeholders, and the public.
• Supporting and advising town and parish councils and neighbourhood forums on neighbourhood planning.
• Preparing and presenting evidence at planning appeals, public inquiries, and Local Plan examinations
• Undertaking research, commissioning technical studies, and managing consultancy contracts and budgets.
• Coordinating and delivering public engagement activities and analysing consultation feedback.
• Preparing clear, high‑quality reports for senior officers and committees, and representing the Council at relevant meetings.

 

About you

You will have excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills with significant personal expertise and experience in Planning Policy, particularly in relation to local plans. You will be able to work collaboratively across teams and with partners. You will have a flexible approach to work, have good organisational skills and contribute positively in a team environment.

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

Other information

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

The planning policy team has an in-person collaboration day every Wednesday alternating between the Walton Street offices in Aylesbury and Queen Victoria Road offices in High Wycombe. If working full time hours, it is also expected that the successful candidate will do a second office day a week, however location and day of this is down to the individual. For the remaining three days, home working is acceptable.

Interview date: Either week commencing 13^th April or 20^th April

Interview-type / process: In person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Nina Merritt at [email protected]

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

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve 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/