Principal Planning Policy Officer

Are you a highly experienced policy planner with a passion for delivering effective planning policy interventions and would relish the chance to work in a beautiful rural authority on the edge of London?  Are you still full of energy and ambition for plan and placemaking despite the on-going uncertainty in government direction?  Do you find yourself thinking of potential creative and innovative ways of plan-making? Do you want to have the chance to be part of a new team to make a big positive difference to the lives of Tandridge’s communities and environments?  Do you respond positively to challenges and enjoy thinking about how they might be overcome whilst delivering a top quality service.    If so, this role is for you.   

About us 

Tandridge is a largely rural area at the eastern end of Surrey with extensive areas of high-quality landscape and superlative heritage assets.  Its location next to London and Gatwick Airport creates strong housing and other pressures and demands on the district’s beautiful settlement areas and natural environments.  Although the district has faced the disappointment of the demise of its long standing emerging local plan, the Council is now looking forward with excitement to form a new vision for the district and develop a fresh and innovative policy approach going forwards.  The Planning Service as a whole is undergoing a period of transformation and improvement to ensure that we better serve our communities and are able to deliver high quality placemaking and enhanced natural environments.   

The Role 

This role provides a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in helping the Council develop a new spatial vision and policy strategy from the very beginning of the process.  It will require creativity, energy and an ability to think innovatively to help tackle the unique planning challenges we face in our district, but it will be incredibly rewarding and satisfying.     

This is a great opportunity to further a career in planning. 

The role is: 

• Interesting and extremely rewarding, designed to help you develop and apply your technical  skills and experience and also progress your career in day to day management of junior staff. 
• Important in helping to progress our high profile strategic planning and wider corporate work. 
• Ideal for someone who likes to work flexibly, with a lively, dynamic, friendly, and supportive team of planning professionals. 

The successful candidate will be a key technical expert in a high performing Local Plans team and oversee the day to day line management of several junior policy officer.   Project management of key Local Plan workstreams will also be a key element of the role. 

What we offer 

In addition to the stated pay we are offering membership and contributions towards the Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible working (requiring presence in the office for a minimum of two days per week), flexi-time, payment of a relevant professional subscription and access to a discounted health scheme.  

Training and development will be available as required. 

We offer a friendly working environment with on-site parking and proximity to Oxted Station.  

To be considered for interview 

Please outline and evidence your previous skills and experience with regard to all of the Key Skills and Knowledge listed in the Role Specification: 

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required for business use.