Principal Planning Officer

Sheffield City Council; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

Sheffield is a vibrant, green and ambitious city (‘The Outdoor City’) which has seen significant investment, development and regeneration in recent years and this is set to continue. To help us realise our ambitions for growth, to drive up the quality of new development and to be a net zero carbon city by 2030, we are seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled principal planner able to make an immediate impact.

To be considered for this role you must have several years planning experience. We are demanding high standards from applicants so you must be able to demonstrate a proven track record in the management of a substantial caseload of complex major applications to agreed targets whilst achieving quality outcomes.

MRTPI or equivalent is required, with evidence of a commitment to continuous personal development. You must be able to handle a full range of complex applications and appeals and be capable of deputising for an Area Team Manager when required, including reporting to the Planning and Highways Committee.

Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication skills are required for this post. You should be customer focused and be a strong team player. You will need an excellent working knowledge of current planning legislation and be able to demonstrate an awareness of ongoing legislative changes and their implications.

We are looking for a strong track record of planning achievement, with proven project management skills, strong negotiation skills, and a real commitment to quality outcomes. A willingness to work under pressure adopting a collaborative, customer friendly, business focused approach are essential qualities that we are looking for.

In Sheffield, people are at the heart of what we do. You will be part of a network of supportive colleagues in Development Management and the wider Planning Service, working within the framework of, and promoting the Council’s corporate vision and values.

The Planning Service is located in the city centre, close to the award-winning Peace Gardens, Winter Garden and ‘Heart of the City’ regeneration project.

Other Benefits Include

Annual Leave (25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service)
Automatic incremental salary progression within your grade each year
Local Government pension scheme.
Flexible working with at least 40% of your time based in the office with your team.
Flexi scheme with the ability to have an additional day off per month.

Please contact Dinah Hope, Development Management Service Manager, on 01142734374 for an informal chat about the role.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.