Major Projects Officer

v1. last update 28/09/2025

Job Prof i le

JOB TITLE: Major Projects Officer (Interim) DBS CHECK: No GROUP: Development Management SERVICE: Planning & Sustainable Growth REPORTING STRUCTURE Reports to: Team Leader/Area Planning Service Manager Direct Reports: None Indirect Reports: None ROLE PURPOSE: The main purpose of this role is to be the lead officer for the largest and most complex planning applications, pre-application submissions, screening and scoping opinion requests that are submitted to the LPA. The lead officer will take a leading role in providing a high quality, customer focused service by dealing efficiently and effectively with all aspects of a full range of major planning applications (inc. major applications that are subject to Planning Performance Agreements (PPA)). The lead officer will assist the team leaders and service managers in the case management of a caseload of complex planning submissions and making a full contribution to the achievement of relevant performance targets.

v1. last update 28/09/2025

A. Job Descr ip t ion

1. People Management ▪ This role may have supervisory responsibility for junior members of the

Development Management Team, assisting with inductions and training of peers and new employees in respect of complex planning applications/submissions.

2. Resident & Community Contribution ▪ Demonstrate understanding of the Council’s Customer Care Standards and

ensure that these standards are met in order to deliver the Council vision of ‘putting our residents first’.

▪ Contribute towards continued constructive working relationships with all partners,

stakeholders and customers (internal & external). 3. Operational Service Delivery ▪ Process and case manage complex major planning applications from validation

stage through to making recommendations to approve or refuse submissions (inc. managing the GLA Stage 1 & Stage 2 process). This will also include leading on the delivery of commitments/programmes set out in bespoke planning performance agreements on major planning applications.

▪ Process and case manage complex pre-application planning submissions including leading on the co-ordination of internal and external project meetings and preparing professional reports and making recommendations.

▪ Prepare professional reports and making recommendations on major planning applications for the consideration/review of the DM management team and Planning Committee.

▪ Prepare professional appeal statements and co-ordinate the appeal process (including internal and external appeal prep sessions) and act as the Council’s lead witness in Hearing and Public Inquiry proceedings where required.

▪ Deal with post-decision planning matters such as discharge of conditions, advising on re-submissions (NMAs, s73s etc) and engagement in the Council’s complaint process.

▪ Deputise for the DM management team when requested and undertake management tasks including but not limited to the allocation of planning submissions and signing off cases.

▪ Provide support and guidance for more junior members of staff within the Area Planning Teams.

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▪ Attend Planning Committee where required/agreed with the DM management team.

▪ Ensure the day-to-day case management of major planning applications is consistent with Council policies and procedures.

▪ Undertake consultations and liaise with other services, statutory consultees, community groups and members of the public where relevant.

▪ Deal with planning related enquiries in person, by telephone, in writing or virtually through use of the Microsoft Teams and Outlook functions.

▪ Remain up to date with and knowledgeable of relevant legislation and case law, using that knowledge in dealing with planning work.

▪ Use a document management system to manage caseloads and assist in the operation and maintenance of the Service’s computer-based and associated data- based planning information systems.

4. Service Planning & Development ▪ Actively contribute to the on-going review and improvement of services within the

Planning Service and to keep abreast of changes to planning legislation and lead in the introduction of new or amended processes and procedures.

▪ Assist in implementing change across development management and support the delivery of excellent end to end planning services – from pre-application advice to completing legal agreements through to the discharge of conditions.

▪ Maintain knowledge of the current service plan and understanding of own contribution in order to ensure delivery of this plan.

5. Financial & Resource Management ▪ Demonstrate cost-consciousness and identify any cost-effective changes to own

way of working. Leading on the procurement of external consultants where necessary to support the processing of major planning applications.

6. Continuous Improvement ▪ To identify and suggest any improvements to current ways of working in order to

deliver a more efficient and effective service for customers.

▪ Maintain knowledge of legislative changes which have a direct impact on service delivery across the Planning Service.

7. Contacts

▪ Any staff and managers across Development Management, Planning Policy,

Planning Specialists, Transportation and Planning Enforcement; other Senior

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Officers within the Council; Members of the Council, Staff and Managers in Other Service Areas, members of the public, residents, community groups/residents associations and other bodies representing the residents; applicants (developers, agents, consultants); contractors, agency staff, consultants, representatives of London-wide, regional and national bodies, staff in other LPAs.

8. Additional Responsibilities ▪ Complete other reasonable tasks in order to fulfil role purpose or as required by

Management. 9. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ▪ Delivery against any agreed service plan.

▪ Delivery of agreed PADA objectives where appropriate.

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B. Person Speci f icat ion

Major Projects Officer (Interim)

This person specification will be used for recruitment to this post. It will form the basis of the application form, and candidates will be also assessed against aspects of this person specification at interview. 1. QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL

✓ DESIRABLE

✓

A Degree or Masters in Town & Country Planning, or equivalent discipline (such as geography, construction, architecture or design) at graduate or post graduate level.

✓

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or working towards membership of the RTPI.

✓

2. STATUTORY or ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL ✓

DESIRABLE ✓

Capacity and willingness to work outside normal business hours in response to service needs.

✓

Able to undertake site visits as required. ✓

Full Driving licence. ✓

3. EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL ✓

DESIRABLE ✓

Significant experience (5 years +) working as a Development Control Planning Officer, assessing a range of planning submissions with a particular emphasis on major planning applications.

✓

Experience of monitoring junior members of staff. ✓

Experience of signing off cases. ✓

Experience of presenting major planning applications at planning committee meetings.

✓

Experience of giving evidence at planning appeal proceedings (inc. Hearings & Public Inquiries).

✓

4. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS ESSENTIAL ✓

DESIRABLE ✓

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write reports clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences

✓

Ability to organise and prioritise workload and to assist junior members of staff in organising and prioritising their workloads, and work on own initiative.

✓

Knowledge and understanding of planning related legislation. ✓ Excellent IT skills, particularly Excel, Word, Internet, Powerpoint, Google (Docs etc) and experience of working on planning related software programmes and GIS systems.

✓

Ability to influence and persuade. Audiences on complex planning matters.

✓

An understanding of the role of elected members and CMT in the planning process.

✓

5. COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

“Can do” positive attitude Demonstrates a commitment to changing work practices and processes, and a willingness to try new ways of working or thinking.

✓

Takes responsibility and delivers results Adapts to changing demands to ensure that objectives are met, overcoming problems and making well considered decisions.

✓

Team working

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Acts as a role model to others in the team, sharing knowledge and experience when necessary, whilst respecting and valuing the contribution other team members’ experiences can bring.

✓

Communication Demonstrates well developed written and verbal communication skills; and the confidence to present reports and verbal accounts credibly to a variety of different audiences.

✓

Customer Care Develops contacts and relationships with customer/ client groups, regularly reviewing service delivery and taking responsibility to ensure quality service provision.

✓

Takes ownership of personal development Takes action to develop own and others' capability and knowledge by promoting and supporting developmental opportunities to improve performance.

✓