Planning Policy Team Leader

The role

Do you have a passion for urban planning and a flair for producing effective, evidenced planning policies? If so, Southwark Council is calling you to join us as a Planning Team Leader, where your expertise will shape the future of our vibrant community!

Your mission:

• Lead a sub-team within our large Planning Policy team, guiding crucial work on Southwark’s emerging Local Plan.
• Collaborate with consultants, partners internal and external stakeholders on policy writing, research, and monitoring.
• Translate complex strategic planning issues into clear and practical development management policies.
• Ensure alignment of policies with both local and national planning goals
• Uphold the highest standards of decision-making, ensuring our council's actions are transparent, accountable, and legally robust.
• Use your excellent team working, stakeholder management and communication skills to play a pivotal role in the development and execution of the Corporate Delivery Plan, aligning our strategies, policies, and operational plans with the council's ambitious objectives.
• Your ability to handle complex planning matters with finesse will ensure our council meets its planning objectives and delivers outstanding value for our community.

How will you make an impact:

We need a dynamic and experienced planner who is driven to make a difference and can bring a blend of the following:

• A proven understanding of urban planning issues and the ability to tackle strategic planning with clarity and creativity.
• Strong communication skills to simplify complex issues into effective policy.
• An enthusiastic, customer-first mindset, driven to help shape the future of Southwark’s urban landscape.
• Passion for learning, team development, and making a meaningful impact.
• Able to demonstrate how your insights have contributed to the achievement of strategic Planning goals.
• The capability to work in a fast-paced environment, maintaining high standards of attention to detail while meeting deadlines.
• This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our modern London Bridge office.

Additional salary details

This role is not just important; it's transformative to our borough with many new developments taking place along the river Thames, residential estates at Elephant and Castle, at the former Surrey Docks at Canada Water, and through to Peckham and Camberwell. We are at an exciting point in the plan-making cycle as we begin to update the Southwark Plan 2022 and deliver a technical and SPD guidance.

Your role will be dynamic and rewarding, with opportunities to lead on key areas such as housing, the environment, town centres, and the economy. You’ll play a vital part in shaping the Southwark Plan and influencing the emerging London Plan, all while taking on a leadership role within our talented team. We’re committed to your growth, offering a strong focus on training, professional development, and access to a wide range of enriching learning opportunities.

About Southwark Council

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with conservation areas, historic buildings, social enterprises and a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together, underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information:

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Salary Range: £51,099 - £58,197.

Recruitment timetable

Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on the 16^th of February 2025

Interview Date: W/C the 24^th of February 2025

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification