Location
London Borough of Sutton, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£92,601 per annum

About the Borough
The London Borough of Sutton is located less than 30 minutes by train from Central London, with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge. Situated in zone 5 with excellent transport links, Sutton boasts award-winning parks and open spaces, low crime rates, affordable housing, and great schools. The borough is known for high levels of resident engagement and satisfaction, delivering quality services while addressing financial challenges and involving residents in key issues and high street developments.

Sutton is investing continuously in the health, wellbeing, and education of its residents and future generations, as outlined in the “Ambitious for Sutton” corporate plan. Home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton is developing the London Cancer Hub, the world’s leading life-science district specializing in cancer research and treatment. This vision will create around 13,000 jobs and contribute £1.2bn annually to the UK economy, fostering a vibrant community of scientists, doctors, and innovative companies. Alongside regeneration projects including new homes and schools, Sutton is committed to supporting vulnerable groups and balancing support with independent living.

The Council is a key driver within the South London Partnership, focusing on strategic growth, regeneration, and investment across five outer south west London boroughs. Sutton aims to shape its future to meet residents’ needs and make the borough a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Service and Team
Sutton is renowned for excellent schools, Green Flag award-winning green spaces, and its industrial heritage along the River Wandle. It hosts the London Cancer Hub, Europe’s leading cancer research and treatment district, with plans for a multi-phase life science district. The council has recently invested significantly in housing and high street regeneration.

With £4bn of planned investment and another £3bn in the pipeline, this is an exciting time to join Sutton and influence the borough’s future development.

About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate
As the council’s most senior planning officer, you will be a collaborative and effective leader with a proactive approach to development. You will build strong, professional relationships with developers, investors, elected members, and senior officers, ensuring community interests are central to development decisions, including infrastructure provision.

You will uphold Sutton’s high standards for development while delivering an efficient and highly regarded planning service. This role requires a team player who leads staff effectively and works collaboratively across the Council. Experience in local government planning is essential, along with the ability to provide robust, impartial advice to elected members and senior officers.

Our Offer to You
We are committed to nurturing talent and supporting your career growth in a friendly, collaborative environment. Your ideas will be welcomed and supported by a dynamic management team. Benefits include generous annual leave, enhanced family leave, volunteering days, flexible and agile working arrangements, learning and development opportunities, discounts at local businesses, interest-free season ticket loans, pension scheme, bicycle loan and cycle to work schemes, car sharing options, and confidential health and wellbeing support.

Experience
Proven experience as a senior planning officer within local government, with strong stakeholder management skills and a track record of delivering high-quality planning services. Experience working collaboratively with developers, investors, elected members, and senior officers is essential.

About you
You are a proactive, collaborative leader and team player who values community engagement and places residents at the heart of development decisions. You demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills, and you are confident providing robust, impartial advice to senior stakeholders. You are committed to upholding high standards and delivering efficient, effective planning services.

Qualifications
Relevant professional planning qualifications and membership of a recognised planning institute are expected. A thorough understanding of local government planning policies, procedures, and statutory requirements is essential.