Principal Planning Officer (Development Management)

At Connect2Hackney, we are the direct, internal talent team partnering with the London Borough of Hackney to recruit skilled professionals who are passionate about public service and place-shaping.

Hackney is one of London's most dynamic, diverse, and fast-evolving boroughs. We are currently looking for a motivated and experienced Principal Planning Officer to join the Development Management team within the Housing, Climate & Economy directorate.

In this role, you will play a central part in balancing high-quality urban growth with climate resilience, community needs, and heritage conservation across Hackney's vibrant inner-city landscape.

The Role

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will take lead responsibility for progressing a wide portfolio of development management matters within an area-based team. You will handle complex casework, mentor junior colleagues, and serve as an expert spokesperson for the Council.

Key Responsibilities

Casework Leadership: Lead on pre-application advice, high-level planning applications, and negotiations on complex proposals, securing tangible financial and community infrastructure benefits via Section 106 agreements. Planning Appeals Coordination: Coordinate the planning appeal function for the Development Management team, acting as the Council's lead officer at Public Inquiries, hearings, and written representations. Team Leadership & Mentoring: Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and mentoring to junior planners, supporting their professional development and deputising for the DM Team Leader when required. Stakeholder & Public Engagement: Represent the Council at Planning Committees, public forums, and developer meetings, ensuring clear, accessible communication across Hackney's diverse communities. Service Improvement: Drive innovative solutions, contribute to policy reviews, and assist in refining workflow systems and performance metrics across the service.

What We Are Looking For

Qualifications: A postgraduate qualification in Town Planning and full corporate membership of (or eligibility for) the RTPI (Mandatory). Technical Expertise: Substantial experience operating at a senior level within Development Management, with an in-depth understanding of current planning legislation, inner-urban planning issues, and complex legal agreements. Appeals & Inquiries Experience: Proven ability to prepare evidence and present robust, defensible arguments in public forums, committees, and inquiries. Mentorship & Collaboration: A track record of mentoring staff, fostering collaborative team working, and managing challenging workloads under minimal supervision. Values-Led Approach: A strong commitment to equality, diversity, and customer-focused public service delivery. Flexibility: Willingness to attend evening Planning Committees or other public meetings outside standard working hours as required.

Why Join Hackney through Connect2Hackney?

Connect2Hackney gives you a direct route into working with Hackney Council. As an internal talent partner, we work closely with hiring managers to ensure you receive clear guidance, transparent feedback, and dedicated support throughout the recruitment process.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy