About the department

This role sits within the Place Directorate which is a forward-looking team, responsible for shaping sustainable growth, delivering major infrastructure, and ensuring high-quality planning services across the borough. The team works collaboratively across council services, developers, and the community to manage planning obligations, guide development, and maximise local benefits.

As Principal Planning Officer, you will play a central role in delivering the council’s strategic objectives by leading the management and monitoring of S106 agreements, influencing nationally significant infrastructure projects, and ensuring developments contribute positively to Thurrock’s long-term growth and community wellbeing.

Salary: £54,999– £61,638 per annum (pro rata if part-time)

Grade G

Contract Type: Fixed Term (or Internal Secondment) (Maternity Cover for 10 months) Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Role 

As a Principal Planning Officer- Planning Obligations and Major Infrastructure, you will be responsible for: 

• Management and Monitoring of S106 Agreements and CIL
  Lead on the full range of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 work, including collection, analysis, and reporting. Maintain robust systems to monitor financial contributions, performance against agreed measures, and ensure timely allocation for spending in line with corporate objectives
• NSIP and Major Infrastructure Engagement
  Shape and influence nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) and other major developments to secure policy compliant planning decisions, maximise community benefits, and support local growth objectives. Provide expert input at relevant stages, including Development Consent Orders and community engagement.
• Policy, Guidance, and Compliance
  Develop, advise on, and implement planning policies, guidance, and best practice related to S106, CIL, and NSIPs. Ensure legislative, contractual, and procedural compliance, including Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, energy sector developments, and related supply chain considerations.
• Stakeholder, Member, and Committee Engagement
  Present complex and/or controversial planning matters clearly to Committees, Members, and external stakeholders. Build strong relationships across council services, community groups, and statutory consultees to support transparent, evidence-based decision-making.
• Continuous Improvement and Service Leadership
  Proactively identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and service delivery. Lead projects to enhance efficiency and quality, coach colleagues to develop skills, and provide professional advice on high-risk or precedent setting issues.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Financial Oversight
  Oversee key performance indicators, budget processes, and internal/external reporting requirements. Ensure effective monitoring of S106/CIL contributions, compliance with statutory obligations, and delivery of high-quality outcomes aligned with Council-wide objectives.  

Main Responsibilities:

•       To provide support in the provision of services associated with Development Management, Building Control, Land charges and Copy Documents, including any legislative requirements.

•       To process (including scanning, saving and indexing) applications within statutory time limits. (Training will be available).

•       Undertake registration and processing (including scanning, saving, indexing and linking to software) all applications within a statutory time limit and in compliance with relevant legislation.

•       To process and monitor post and generic mailboxes.

•       To respond to requests (by telephone, letter, email and in person) for information in a clear, accurate, polite and prompt fashion.

•       To keep up to date knowledge on current projects in order to provide first line advice or information on processes and/or liaise with officers for technical knowledge.

•       Help manage the team’s filing and record keeping and contribute to the maintenance of records on current applications, using both paper based and computer based systems, including inputting and extracting information via a personal computer.

•       To attend meetings and briefings when required and provide the appropriate feedback, including taking minutes and distributing them accordingly.

•       Validate applications to ensure they meet national and local requirements.

What We’re Looking For 

We’re looking for someone who has: 

• Proven experience in planning at a senior level, including negotiation with applicants, presenting evidence at public enquiries, hearings, or tribunals, and involvement in nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).
• Demonstrated experience managing S106 agreements and/or Community Infrastructure Levy data administration systems, ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to set challenging targets, manage performance, and develop staff to ensure a motivated, high-performing team capable of meeting service objectives.
• Proven track record of delivering creative, practical solutions to complex challenges, using data and evidence to drive continuous improvements and maintain a "can-do” approach to service delivery

Essential qualifications: Membership or working towards membership of an appropriate professional body, e.g., Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Closing Date: 10^th May 2026

Please contact Priscilla Omede via email if you have any questions at [email protected]

Our vision – An ambitious and collaborative community which is proud of its heritage and excited by its diverse opportunities and future.

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.