Senior Planning Officer

Permanent contract
Cirencester/agile working 

Are you an experienced planner ready to take the next step in your career?

Join Cotswold District Council as a Senior Planning Officer and help shape the future of one of the most distinctive and desirable areas in the UK. Based in Cirencester you'll work within rolling designated Cotswold National Landscape, picturesque market towns, and a strong sense of community pride. This is an ideal next step for someone with 3-5 years' planning experience who's ready to take on greater responsibility, develop their technical expertise, and influence outcomes across a varied caseload. You'll handle a mix of complex applications, giving you the scope to work dynamically and directly shape decisions that impact our towns, villages, and landscapes.

You"ll join a supportive team of five within a wider Development Management service of around 40, where you'll play an important role mentoring Assistant Planners and supporting their professional growth. The role offers real breadth- engaging with stakeholders such as Members, planning consultants, parish councils, and technical consultees- giving you the chance to build strong professional relationships and develop confidence in presenting and negotiating. With experienced Principal Planners on hand to guide and mentor you, you'll have the opportunity to grow quickly and take on increasingly challenging work as your expertise develops.

This is also an excellent time to join us as the Planning Service undertakes a exciting improvement programme. You'll actively contribute to reviewing processes, shaping new ways of working, and helping us deliver a more efficient and responsive service. If you're ambitious, collaborative, and eager to progress your career in a place that offers both professional development and an exceptional quality of life, this role provides the ideal platform. We operate a hybrid approach, with an expectation that you'll be in the office at least two days per week as part of our connected and supportive team.

 You will need

• A planning or related degree.
• Eligibility for full Membership of the RTPI.
• Substantial (likely to be more than 5 years) relevant professional experience, 3 years will be considered for a step-up opportunity.
• Experience of working flexibly as part of a team and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders
• Experience of being involved in continuously improving services and developing products to meet customer need Then ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments 

Special Conditions -  Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes

This is a politically restricted appointment within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1989 and regulations made thereunder.

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification on our website.

What can we do for you

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
• An extra two volunteering days per year to support a charity of your choice
• A health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Generous contributory local government pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements 

About The Organisation

We are rightly proud of the businesses, communities and residents who live in this beautiful part of the world, putting them first and at the heart of everything we do. We’re busy recreating a council set up for success, which can deliver for the needs of our communities in a fast-changing environment. That means we need to be 'fleet of foot' and look for innovative and creative ways to deliver against our Corporate Plan priorities.

That plan focuses on a range of important priorities including delivering good services for residents, responding to the climate emergency, supporting strong local communities, and evolving the district’s vibrant economy.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email. Click on Apply Now to complete an online application.

Our organisation is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references;  proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years' employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.