Principal Planning Officer

Principal Planning Policy Officer

37 hours per week, Permanent contract

£45,091 - £49,282 per annum (pay award pending)

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a rich planning environment across two varied authorities, and build on the success of an existing jointly prepared plan which covers the three administrative areas.The South Worcestershire Development Plan Review was adopted at the end of March 2026, and preparation is underway to work on the new Local Plan. Working across the District Councils of Wychavon and Malvern, your work will include:

• Leading on projects such as five year housing land supply;
• Line management of a number of policy officers;
• Overseeing the preparation of Development Briefs; and
• Leading on main areas of evidence such as SHELAA and call for sites for the next Local Plan under the new 30-month system.

We are seeking a candidate that will demonstrate commitment to delivering the Council's values of great customer service, openness and accountability, innovation and improvement and fairness and respect.

You will be responsible for championing and demonstrating the Council’s Leadership Behaviour Framework by inspiring, communicating, collaborating and empowering yourself and others and leading by example.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• Substantial post-qualification planning experience of at least five years in a planning environment;
• Experience of project leadership; budgets; managing own workload and workload of others;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to negotiate successful outcomes; and
• Accuracy and attention to detail alongside excellent research and analytical skills.

What we can offer

Our staff are at the heart of what we do, and as a result we are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find. So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as:

• Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave
• Committed training programme and development opportunities
• Onsite nursery with 20% staff discount
• Discounted Gym and swim membership
• Health and Wellbeing support and a Free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme.

We are an employer that values face to face communication, collaboration and connection, therefore all our roles have an office-based requirement with some agile working as part of the role.

Please note: Malvern Hills District Council does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

To discuss the post or for further information, please call Isabel Roberts on 01386 565350

Closing date: Sunday 31 May 2026

Interview date: Monday 8 June 2026

Please note if we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.