Location
London Borough of Barnet

Hours
Hybrid working with fixed office attendance days each week. Occasional travel outside the Borough may be required.

Salary
£79,409 per annum

About the Role
The Planning Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing the performance of a team of professional development management planners and technical staff, as well as making planning decisions. This role holds delegated authority to sign off planning decisions on behalf of the Director of Planning and Building Control for the London Borough of Barnet.

The role involves managing the development process from the earliest pre-application stage through validation to completion, ensuring compliance with planning legislation, national and local policies, and Council objectives.

Key responsibilities include:
- Assessing technical documents submitted in support of planning applications
- Supporting the delivery of the Council’s Planning Enforcement function
- Organising and leading meetings with developers, specialists, and stakeholders to analyse, negotiate, and explain development details and implications
- Leading performance management across the Development Management function
- Analysing, negotiating, and project managing major and complex development proposals, including planning obligations (Section 106 contributions)
- Making delegated planning decisions at agreed levels

This is a hybrid role requiring attendance at the office on fixed days and occasional travel to deliver services on behalf of Barnet Council.

Experience
Proven experience in managing development management teams and handling complex planning cases. Experience in negotiating planning obligations and managing performance within a planning function is essential.

About you
Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders including developers, specialists, and internal teams. You should be organised, proactive, and able to work collaboratively to deliver high-quality planning services. Commitment to the Council’s values of Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, and Collaborative is essential.

Qualifications
Relevant professional planning qualifications and membership of a recognised planning institute are desirable. A thorough understanding of planning legislation, national and local planning policies, and development management processes is required.