Strategic Principal Planner

Job Introduction

About Us

Join our Strategic Planning Team and help shape Oxfordshire’s future. We’re looking for a skilled Principal Strategic Planner (Technical Lead) to provide expert planning advice on major strategic developments, work with district councils on Local Plans, and lead on other planning policy consultations including those covering neighbouring authorities. 

About the Role

• Lead the Council’s strategic planning input into major development sites (via Planning Performance Agreements) and planning policy documents.
• Provide high‑level technical advice to partners, developers, district councils and internal teams.
• Support and mentor Strategic Planners within the team.
• Coordinate responses to major planning proposals including detail on the necessary mitigation and financial contributions.

About you

• Significant planning experience.
• Strong analytical, communication and negotiation skills.
• RTPI membership (or eligible).
• Confident working with senior officers, Members and external partners.
• Experience with large or complex strategic sites highly desirable.

Rewards and benefits

• You’ll play a key role in shaping growth across a dynamic and expanding county, with flexible working options and a supportive, collaborative team.
• Culture of flexible working 
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• 30 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. 

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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