Senior Planner (Development Management)

The Oxford Street Development Corporation

You will be joining an organisation whose work is helping to shape the future of one of London's most iconic places. The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to support high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving. Our OSDC Board is setting out the strategic direction of the organisation and brings diverse insight and cross-sector expertise including retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law and politics. You will be joining a rapidly growing organisation fully dedicated to restore Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.

About the role

The role supports the establishment and operation of a new planning service within the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), covering a strategically important area of Central London. With Oxford Street as its focus, the Development Corporation will receive a wide range of planning applications, making the role central to the effective delivery of development management, high-quality customer service, and the achievement of the Mayor's strategic objectives for the area.

Working closely with the Head of Planning Delivery and Place Shaping, the post contributes to the efficient, proactive operation of the OSDC's development management function. Key responsibilities include managing and determining a varied caseload of planning applications, including major schemes and appeals, providing pre application advice, supporting enforcement activity where appropriate, and contributing to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan.

The role sits within the OSDC development management team, reporting to senior planning leads and supporting both planning delivery and policy functions. It involves the proactive assessment of planning proposals, provision of professional advice, and effective negotiation with a broad range of stakeholders, including applicants, consultees, elected members, Government bodies, residents and landowners. The post also assists in monitoring and managing the performance of the Planning Directorate against agreed targets and priorities.

What your day will look like

• Manage a varied caseload of planning applications, pre application enquiries and appeals, ensuring that cases are progressed efficiently and in accordance with agreed performance targets.
• Assess, evaluate and determine planning proposals, including preparing high quality reports and recommendations for decisions under delegated powers or by Planning Committee.
• Provide pre application advice and guidance to applicants and agents, helping to shape proposals in line with planning policy, design expectations and the wider objectives of OSDC.
• Negotiate effectively with applicants, agents, consultees and other stakeholders to secure high quality planning outcomes.
• Respond to enquiries from members of the public, elected members and other stakeholders in relation to planning proposals, processes and timescales.
• Prepare clear, accurate and well reasoned reports, appeal statement briefings, presentations and other written material for internal and external audiences.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Possession of an appropriate planning qualification with eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Experience of successfully managing own planning caseload, related to Development Management.
• Understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• An understanding of the local, regional and national planning policy context and legislative framework.

Building and managing relationships

is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people; and sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

• Develops new professional relationships.
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement.
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action.

Decision making

is forming sound, evidence based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available.
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
• Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward.
• Demonstrates awareness of the OSDC's decision making processes and how to use them.

Planning and organising

is thinking ahead; managing time, priorities and risk; and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team's work is delivered to a high standard.
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Research and analysis

is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

• Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge.
• Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality.
• Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

This role is based at the 19 Wells St, London, W1T 3PQ

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments.

We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days' annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

OSDC staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

As a Disability Confident Employer we will automatically invite to interview candidates who meet the scheme requirements. We will accommodate adjustments as far as possible and will provide further information upon request.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.