Principal Planning and Land Use Officer

Salary - £46,250 - £51,571

If you have a wealth of experience in transport planning and are passionate about making an impact at regional level, then this may be the perfect role for you.

Our Policy and Strategy team have a brand-new role for a Principal Planning and Land Use Officer to work closely with Local Authorities, to ensure that new development and regeneration takes place in the right places and are designed in a way that supports and prioritises inclusive, sustainable travel behaviours, as set in the West Midlands Local Transport Plan. You will be the voice for the West Midlands Combined Authority, making sure that planning activity takes into consideration land use and transport, ensuring that new developments are close to transport networks.

Using your technical expertise, you will work in partnership with local authorities to improve transport accessibility to new development including major sites, across the region. You will be involved in funding negotiations, so we need someone who is a strong influencer, is able to negotiate effectively and has a comprehensive understanding of broader planning policies. This is a varied role where you will be part of an established team of 7 and engage in our ambitious projects such as the Local Transport Plan and the City Region Sustainable Transport settlements at a time when the region is at the forefront of English Devolution.

This is a great opportunity to shape a brand-new role, using your experience and connections to make sure that we are delivering accessible properties by thoroughly assessing planning activities. We need someone is knowledgeable, articulate and has a strong understanding of town planning.

What you will be doing

• Provide expert advice and guidance on all relevant local and national planning, land use, regeneration, housing and digital connectivity legislation and policy and guidance.
• Develop coordinated Transport for West Midlands responses to a range of stakeholder consultations.
• Assess the impacts new development may have on the transport system, including the West Midlands Metro, the Key Route Network and bus operations.
• Undertake/support appropriate negotiations/discussions with developers to secure obligations and funding.
• Lead on requests to prepare evidence for and assist at Planning Inquiries, Informal Hearings, Appeals and other such issues related to development proposals.
• Develop and maintain Transport for West Midlands’ Transport and Development guidance document.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with relevant organisations including the Local Planning Authorities.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports and briefings on transport and planning, housing, and regeneration related matters.

About you

• Experience working as a planner in a local planning authority, highways development control setting or similar role.
• Extensive knowledge of national planning legislation and local and national planning policies with regards to land use, regeneration and housing.
• Experience of providing analysis and expert advice and guidance to help inform the development of policy and strategy.
• Experience in negotiating s38, s106 and s278 Agreements for assessing the transport impact of development.
• Experience of working collaboratively with local planning authorities, developers and their agents/contractors as well as other key stakeholders.
• Detailed knowledge of Highways Development Control and transport and land use planning at a senior level.
• Good experience in developing responses relating to planning policy and planning applications or other relevant consultations.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Able to work effectively under pressure, responding positively in difficult or urgent situations.
• Able to influence and negotiate effectively.
• Able to produce high quality reports and briefings.
• Chartered Membership of a professional body in a related field (CILT, RTPI, IHE, ICE, CIHT etc.).

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

West Midlands Combined Authority is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

How to apply

To apply for a position, we require applicants to upload an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement that demonstrates how they meet the essential criteria for the role. To ensure fairness and impartiality, our application process is designed to be anonymised. We ask that all applicants remove their name and avoid referencing protected characteristics, such as gender or age, when submitting their CV and supporting statement.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. However, in exceptional cases where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

About us

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

WMCA operates a hybrid way of working, which involves a combination of office-based work and remote work. This approach allows for flexibility and adaptability to meet individual needs and preferences. We understand that not everyone can benefit from this way of working, and so we also promote flexible working options whenever possible to support work-life balance. We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future, we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please reach out to our Recruitment Team at careers@wmca.org.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.

Click on the 'Apply Now Button'