Principal Planning Officer

About the role

We’re looking for two experienced and confident Principal Planning Officers to take a leading role in delivering major development, regeneration and place-making across the borough. One post is offered on a two-year fixed term contract (37 hours per week) and the second post is a permanent position (37 hours per week).

The roles are a senior position within the Development Management team, with responsibility for handling the Council’s most complex planning applications and appeals, while providing clear leadership, direction and support to Planning Officers, graduates and apprentices.

You’ll lead high-profile schemes from pre-application stage through to decision, including negotiating complex proposals, securing Section 106 agreements, preparing robust committee reports and representing the Council at appeals, hearings and public inquiries. You’ll ensure decisions are well-reasoned, legally sound and delivered within agreed timescales.

Alongside casework, you’ll play a key role in shaping the service, supervising and mentoring staff, improving performance, driving service improvements, supporting income generation through charging regimes and Planning Performance Agreements, and fostering strong working relationships with various council services, colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, helping enhance the reputation of the Development Management service.

This is a high-impact role for someone who wants to shape outcomes, lead people, and influence the future of the borough.

If you have a keen interest in leading high-profile planning work and helping deliver high-quality, sustainable places for our communities, we’d love to hear from you.

About you

Our ideal candidates will be an experienced planning professional with the confidence and credibility to lead on major and complex applications. You’ll bring strong technical knowledge, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage challenging negotiations, sensitive cases and competing priorities.

You will enjoy leading others, providing clear direction, supervising and mentoring planners at different stages of their careers, while maintaining high standards of performance, decision making and customer service.

You will communicate clearly and confidently, whether negotiating with developers, advising Members, presenting at committee or representing the Council at appeals and inquiries. You’ll be comfortable taking responsibility for financial matters, improving systems and processes, and driving continuous improvement across the service.

Above all, you will be proactive, resilient and motivated by delivering high-quality planning decisions that stand up to scrutiny, strengthen the service and make a lasting difference to the borough.

Essential requirements:

• Degree or Diploma in Town Planning or a related discipline that would allow membership to the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Full driving licence

Pay and benefits

Grade J, scp 35 (£47,665) to scp 39 (£51,928), plus an essential car user allowance of up to £963 per year. Hours are 37 per week.

Bolton Council offers a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, there is a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, and a range of employee wellbeing and support services. Ask about flexible working options to fit with your work/life balance - #HappytoTalkFlexible.

About the employer

This is your opportunity to join Bolton Council at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

How to apply

Please click Apply and explain how you meet the points on the person specification.

If you would like an informal chat about this role please contact: Alex Allen, Planning Development Manager, on 07385 361838 / alex.allen@bolton.gov.uk

Further information

• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
• Please read the detailed information on AI use in the full advert before you apply, as applications may be rejected if AI use is detected.
• Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.
• This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.
• This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment, which recognises continuous service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving access to service-related benefits. See greater.jobs for more information.
• Interview date: to be confirmed.