Your new company

We're pleased to be working with a local authority to recruit 2 key interim town planning positions for their team in Cambridgeshire.

Your new role

As a Principal Policy Planner, you will be responsible for working on a number of infrastructure related studies, including the preparation of infrastructure plans, obligation strategies, including Community Infrastructure Levy, planning policy, and supplementary planning documents related to developer contributions and transport strategies.

Your expertise in the innovative and practical development of infrastructure planning, CIL and S106 obligations will be crucial in navigating these complex projects efficiently as well as working collaboratively with internal officers and external partners.

East West Rail Company has identified a location north of the town of Cambourne for a new station as part of the proposed East West Rail central section between Bedford and Cambridge. In the Greater Cambridge Local Plan First Proposals 2021 consultation, the Councils identified Cambourne as a broad location for longer term strategic scale growth, to respond to the opportunity provided by East West Rail. Further work is needed to develop a specific allocation for Cambourne, and to work with EWR Company who are preparing a Local Opportunity Plan for the area.
Funded by the Department for Transport, you will project manage the preparation of the site allocation for an expanded Cambourne. The role will include leading on:

• Procuring and managing a range of evidence bases to inform the draft allocation

• Drafting the allocation and supporting documentation

• Engaging with EWR Co and internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the allocation is developed with a full awareness of the interests of relevant groups.

What you'll need to succeed

The successful candidate will have:

• Degree or equivalent.

• Post graduate degree or equivalent in town planning

• Post qualification work experience in a professional office in the field of town planning at Principal, Team Leader or Manager level (or equivalent)

• The ability to independently manage a project from inception to completion, including working with stakeholders and partners to deliver a project on time and within budget to a satisfactory quality.

• To represent the service as required at meetings with outside bodies and to present reports and officer advice to Members at relevant committees.

• To prepare reports to Cabinet / Scrutiny Committee and/or to Lead members.

• Ability to drive, to attend site visits and meetings, and holder of a full and valid current driving licence.
  
  What experience would the temporary worker need to be successful in this role?

• Proven experience of leading on planning policy projects, including the commissioning and leading on the preparation of evidence base and Development Plan Documents.

• The ability to deal with major and complex planning policy matters, preferably in relation to the preparation of site allocations or other site-specific projects

• Recent and demonstrable experience of working with external partners, statutory bodies, elected members and developers/housebuilders.

• Strong project management skills, including recent experience of managing complex projects and using project management tools.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
  
  

What you'll get in return

This is a contract to September 2024 which may be extended to March 2025. There are two posts, one focused on Infrastructure and one focused on the East / West rail programme. Rates are negotiable depending on experience.

The team work hybrid with some time in the office and some time remotely.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.