Principal Planner – Development Management
Following a restructure to ensure we provide great career opportunities, the London Borough of Merton is seeking 4 Principal Planners – Development Management, to work within one of our two Town Planning Teams. We are looking for enthusiastic people with strong technical skills to deputise for the Area Manager – Development Management and to help manage a team of committed and skilled planning officers.
Our DM teams are currently undergoing change to ensure that they are up-to-date and fit for purpose, and that we have great career progression opportunities to enable our planners to benefit as they gain in experience and acquire new skills.
Our planning department deals with a wide variety of often exciting and complex applications as well as the more mundane. As well as working on Major or Complex applications, you will mentor and lead allocated team members, ensuring that their work is high quality and processed within short timescales. You will sign off cases, and attend our Planning Committee, presenting reports which may be your cases or those of junior members of the team. You will liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, liaising closely with developers and responding to elected members. Second to none interpersonal skills is a must, as is the need to juggle conflicting responsibilities within tight deadlines. You will also have experience of mentoring and advising others and have a commitment to improving the quality of life and opportunities for our residents.
As Principal Planner, through the application of high-level Development Management and supervisory skills, you will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the borough through the innovative and practical development of proposals for planning permission to ensure that growth and regeneration in the borough in line with the Merton Local Plan and associated documents.
Our mission is to be the Best Council. To do this we need the best people to help build our vision. If you’re looking to develop your career in a fast-paced, professional environment whilst making a difference, then we look forward to hearing from you.