Principal Planning Policy Officer

• Location: Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce.This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This full-time, permanent position has a starting salary of £53,713 per annum based on 36 hours per week.

We're delighted to be hiring an experienced and motivated Principal Planning Policy Officer to join our dynamic Minerals and Waste Policy Team. If you're excited by complex challenges, passionate about high quality planning, and want your work to have a visible impact on communities and the environment, this is a fantastic opportunity.

You'll join a friendly, collaborative and highly professional team based in Woking (and Reigate) with the flexibility to work in a hybrid way. We are proud of our reputation for high standards, continuous learning, and a genuine commitment to excellence in minerals and waste planning.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 after 2 years and 31 after 5 years (plus Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• 5 days of paid carer's leave and 2 volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• Strong support for continuous professional development
• The chance to shape Surrey's minerals and waste planning framework
• Work that makes a real difference to residents, communities and Surrey's environment

About the Role

Surrey is a uniquely diverse and ambitious county with urban fringe in the north, rural communities in the south, and major national transport corridors including Heathrow and Gatwick.

Surrey is:

• The most wooded county in England
• Home to the Surrey Hills National Landscape
• A major contributor to the UK economy

Surrey County Council is on an exciting transformation journey. By 2030 we want Surrey to be a place where everyone has a great start in life, lives healthy and fulfilling lives, and no one is left behind. This role is key to that ambition.

Shape Surrey's Future. Lead Work That Really Matters.

Surrey faces complex, high profile planning challenges - from climate change and biodiversity loss to major growth pressures, extensive Green Belt coverage, and the need for sustainable waste management and secure supply of minerals. As the Principal Planning Policy Officer in the team, you will play a central role in navigating this landscape.

You will lead on the preparation of Surrey's first joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan under England's new plan making system, as well as contribute to regional technical groups, evidence work, and stakeholder engagement.

This is a role with real influence - shaping long term policy that affects Surrey's people, places and environment for decades to come.

Your key responsibilities as a Principal Planning Policy Officer will include:

• Leading the preparation of the new Minerals and Waste Local Plan and its supporting evidence base.
• Managing statutory monitoring outputs, including the Local Aggregate Assessment and Authority Monitoring Report.
• Producing high quality written reports with clear, well reasoned recommendations and presenting work to senior leaders and elected members.
• Coordinating engagement with minerals and waste operators, elected members, the public and other stakeholders, including digital and high interest public events.
• Responding to stakeholder enquiries and participating in regional groups such as the South East England Aggregate Working Party, South East Waste Planning Advisory Group and POS Minerals and Waste Policy Advisory Group.
• Overseeing budgets, procurement and the commissioning and management of specialist consultancy support.
• Championing a culture of professionalism, transparency and continuous improvement across the team.
• Coaching, mentoring and supporting officers in their technical, project and professional development.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours :

• A relevant planning related degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) and Chartered RTPI membership (or clear progression toward full membership).
• Substantial professional experience in planning or a closely related field such as environmental assessment, minerals, waste, transport, engineering, heritage or water management.
• Strong understanding of England's planning system, including policy development and evidence based decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly to varied audiences.
• Strong digital and data capability, with the ability to use evidence effectively in policy and analysis.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercising sound professional judgement under pressure and demonstrating a commitment to continual learning.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions in writing (250 words max per answer):

• Please describe a project where you led the development, or review, of planning policy or technical evidence. What was your role, how did you ensure the work was robust and well reasoned, and what impact did it have?
• Please tell us about a time you communicated a complex or sensitive planning issue to a non technical audience. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
• Please give an example of when you exercised sound professional judgement under pressure or in a high profile context. What factors did you consider, and what was the result?
• Please describe how you have built effective relationships with stakeholders such as operators, partners, or community groups, on a contentious or high interest issue. How did you manage differing viewpoints and maintain trust?

Your CV and answers to the above questions should show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert and the behaviours we're looking for. Shortlisting for interview will be based on the evidence you provide by way of your CV and answers.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 4th March with interviews to follow shortly after.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and Our Life at Surrey Handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Dustin Lees, Minerals and Waste Policy Team Leader via email at .

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

This post has beendesignatedas a politically restricted postin accordance withthe Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.