Our local authority client in the South East requires a Principal Planning Officer to cover a maternity leave period. The role will involve: Assisting in the preparation of Local Plan document including the Core Strategy; Supervising and supporting other team members on individual projects; To prepare Council responses to strategic planning matters and Government consultations; Liaise with other sections, services and partners to assist in policy work; Acting as client manager for consultant commissioned work including monitoring progress and budgets; Prepare and present reports and represent the Council at meetings/ committees/ public inquiries The ideal candidate will have 5 years+ planning policy experience and be able to demonstrate : a clear understanding of all procedural and legal matters in relation to Local Plan preparation, experience in preparing Development Plan Documents; a clear understanding of strategic and local planning issues and the inter-relationship between them and national policy; experience in preparing committee reports and presenting at Council meetings and a ability to work outside usual working hours; Ability to give advice on complex and sensitive planning issues; Good ITC, numeracy and literacy skills; Ability to research, absorb, record, analyse and evaluate large volumes of data and information, on a wide range of issues and identify the points that need addressing and options for doing so; Ability to work under pressure and balance competing demands; and Ability to use own initiative with little managerial guidance. Please contact us for further information