Intern Planning and Growth

The role

Southwark Council is seeking an Intern for an 8-week internship within our Planning & Growth Team. This isn’t your average internship. Here’s why:

• Front-Row Access: Get insider exposure to the dynamic world of urban planning, from town planning and architectural design to project management and building surveying.

• Purpose with Impact: Help shape vibrant, inclusive communities and create sustainable spaces where people thrive.

• Career-Boosting Experience: Gain hands-on skills, real responsibilities, and build a network that’ll set you up for future success.

As our Planning & Growth Intern, you’ll support key initiatives and gain invaluable experience in local development:

• Caseload Administration: Support smaller planning applications and experience real-time decision-making.

• Analysis & Reporting: Learn how to assess planning merits and contribute to professional planning reports.

• Customer Engagement: Discover how we handle planning applications, advise residents, and support transport strategies.

• Design and Conservation: Learn about architectural design and how our historic buildings can inspire modern developments.

• Project Management: Assist in live project delivery—think design briefings, budgeting, community engagement, and documentation.

• Contract Management: Provide key admin support on construction contracts and progress reporting.

• Property Insight: Support work on leases and service level agreements.

• Research Project: Complete a short research project tied to Planning and Growth themes.

What You’ll Gain:

• A deep dive into local government planning operations

• Exposure to various career paths within Planning & Growth

• Practical skills in communication, time management, and critical thinking

• A network of professionals and mentors

• The opportunity to contribute to Southwark’s 2030 Vision

• A meaningful experience that lets you help shape the future of your community

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Enthusiastic about supporting local businesses and communities

• Curious about sustainability and climate-conscious entrepreneurship

• A great communicator and eager to connect with people

• Interested in learning how local government operates

• A Southwark resident aged 16 – 24

• Available for flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge office 3 days a week

Additional salary details
Salary: £28,881

About Southwark
There’s much to be proud of at Southwark, and every reason to be ambitious about the future. Our recently agreed 2030 Strategy unites partners around a vision that together, we will build a fair, green, and safe Southwark, where everyone can live a good life as part of a strong community.

We believe the key to a good life starts with strong foundations: quality homes, excellent education, safety, rewarding jobs, good health, and a thriving environment.

To achieve this, we focus on six core goals:

• Providing decent homes for all

• Giving every child a good start in life

• Creating a safer Southwark

• Building a strong and fair economy

• Supporting residents to stay well

• Ensuring a healthy environment

These goals are driven by three guiding principles: empowering people, investing in prevention, and tackling inequality at every level.

To deliver our shared vision, we will need to unleash the collective talents of residents, communities, organisations, and businesses for the good of everyone who calls Southwark home. We’re committed to long-term partnerships and innovation, ensuring that the voice of our residents shapes everything we do.

Recruitment timetable

• Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on 9th of May 2025

• Interview Date: TBC

• Anticipated work period: 7th of July to the 1st of September 2025

Application Process
If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit a CV and complete the application forms detailing your suitability for the role. The Job Description and Person Specification can also be found at the bottom of this page under attachments.

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.