Principal Planning Officer
Principal Planning Officer – Development Management
Salary: £51,133 - £54,832
Location: The Burys, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1HR / Hybrid working
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Planning Officer to join our Development Management service, working within the Strategic Sites team. This is a key professional role, leading on complex, high‑profile and major planning applications from pre‑application stage through to determination and delivery on site.
You will play a pivotal part in shaping significant development across the borough, working closely with developers, elected members, communities and partner organisations to secure high‑quality and sustainable outcomes.
Reporting to the Development Lead, you will also provide support and leadership within the team, acting as a deputy when required and contributing to service performance and improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on major, complex and high‑profile planning applications, including strategic sites
- Project manage development proposals from pre‑application through determination and delivery
- Prepare and present reports to Planning Committee and advise elected members
- Negotiate with developers to maximise community benefits, including affordable housing and infrastructure contributions
- Provide paid pre‑application advice on major and complex schemes
- Make delegated decisions in line with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation
- Represent the Council at appeals, hearings and public inquiries, acting as expert witness where required
- Build and maintain effective relationships with councillors, applicants, agents, residents and statutory consultees
- Support, mentor and line‑manage planning officers as required
- Ensure decisions are robust, defensible and aligned with national and local planning policy
About you
You will be a confident and experienced planning professional with a strong track record in development management and major applications. You will be comfortable operating in a politically sensitive environment, balancing competing priorities and delivering high‑quality outcomes.
Essential requirements include:
- Degree in Planning or a related discipline
- Full Chartered Membership of the RTPI (or the ability to achieve this within the probationary period)
- Significant experience of dealing with complex and major planning applications
- Strong negotiation, analytical and decision‑making skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience of presenting at committee and/or representing an authority at appeal
- A commitment to customer service, equality and continuous improvement
Why join us?
Waverley is an ambitious and forward‑thinking authority, committed to professionalism, collaboration and wellbeing. We offer:
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- A supportive and experienced management team
- Opportunities for professional development and CPD
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- The opportunity to work on strategic and high‑impact development projects
Please note:
No agencies or speculative CVs please. Direct applications only.
How to Apply
To apply for this vacancy, click the “Apply Online” link.
If you are not already on Waverley Borough Council's website for this vacancy, you will be redirected to our website's jobs page. Either click "Apply Online" at the bottom of this page, or at the top left hand side under Waverley Borough Council click either the "Log in" button (if you are already registered) or the "Register" button.
You will be redirected to the JobsGoPublic system, which manages our online recruitment process. Once you have registered with JobsGoPublic (which is free to use) you can log in to your application at any time and keep track of where you are in the recruitment process.
If you are unable to use this service or would like assistance, please contact us via hr@waverley.gov.uk or call the Human Resources team on 01483 523388.