Planning Policy Team Leader

About the role

Dover District Council is seeking a motivated and ambitious Planning Policy Team Leader to help lead its experienced and supportive planning policy and projects team. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to build your experience at a management level in planning policy.

With over £63 million of investment helping to transform the district, together with the iconic White Cliffs, stunning coastline, Kent Downs National Landscape and rich historic heritage, Dover is an exceptional place to live, work and help shape the future.

In 2026, Dover District Council was recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Awards for Planning Excellence as Planning Authority of the Year, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality place-making, sustainable growth and excellent planning outcomes, strongly supported by elected members.

As Team Leader within the planning policy and projects team, you will lead a team of professional planning officers and technical staff to deliver, implement and review a sound and robust suite of planning policy documents to provide the framework for development across the district, following the adoption of the Local Plan in 2024.

What you'll do

• Provide professional advice, information and guidance on all relevant planning policy matters, including leading the team's approach to responding to planning applications to ensure consistent application of local and national policy in development management decisions.
• Appear as an expert witness for the Council at examinations in public and other planning appeals, public inquiries and court hearings, as required.
• Manage the work of the S106 Monitoring Officer in securing and spending developer obligations, and the production of the Infrastructure Funding Statement.
• Lead production of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, working closely with internal and external partners.
• Take day-to-day management responsibility, including direct staff management and assignment of team resources, while ensuring implementation of the Corporate Plan and relevant Council policies.
• Provide advice to elected members and the management team, and support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager in the wider management of the service, including at Council and other public meetings.

A full valid UK driving licence is required for this role, along with use of a motor vehicle for business use.

About you

• You are an experienced planner with a substantial and coherent understanding of preparing planning policy documents from scoping to adoption, and a working knowledge of planning legislation.
• You can take a lead role on a wide range of planning policy projects.
• You understand local government structures and procedures (essential).
• You manage your own workload and that of your team confidently.
• You have experience in plan-making practice and in monitoring and reporting procedures, such as land supply reports and AMRs.
• You can show competence in project delivery, including managing external consultants.
• You have excellent report writing, research and analysis skills.
• You have experience at examination or appeal hearings and inquiries, and in advising on planning policy matters through the planning application process.
• You build positive relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and elected councillors.
• You have excellent communication skills and the enthusiasm to support and guide junior members of the team.

You should have a good grasp of the importance of developer contributions in delivering strategic infrastructure.

Pay and benefits

Salary starts from £57,044 pro rata, including a car allowance of £7,819. The role is permanent and full time, at 37 hours a week.

The role is based at the Dover District Council offices at Whitfield in Kent. The Council works in a hybrid way, with a mix of office (minimum 2 days a week) and home working (business need permitting).

Benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, include:

• Benenden Healthcare membership and Employee Assistance Programme
• Opt-in Local Government Pension Scheme, with the opportunity to make advanced voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up your pension
• Generous annual leave
• Discount scheme, including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
• On-site parking
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Payment of RTPI membership fees

About the employer

Dover District Council is a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible employer, with a team of enthusiastic employees delivering services they are passionate about. It has an ambitious agenda to continue delivering first class public services, putting residents at the heart of everything it does.

How to apply

Apply online using the Apply button. The quality of your application will be taken into account. For an alternative format, please contact the Council.

The advert closes at midnight on 22 November 2026. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 30 November 2026.

For a further discussion about the post, please contact Carly Pettit, Planning Policy and Projects Manager, at Carly.Pettit@dover.gov.uk or on 01304 793208.