Senior Planning Manager

Do you have experience of working in the spatial planning profession in the public, private or voluntary sector?

Can you provide technical recommendations under pressure?

Have you got strong communication skills?

If so, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for 3 Senior Planning Managers to join the Spatial Planning Team. This role will be an essential part of Active Travel England (ATE), driving forward the assessment of local plans, pre-application enquiries and planning applications, and producing high-quality outputs which are consistent with ATE’s spatial planning priorities.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Active Travel England

There has never been a more exciting time to be working in active travel, and ATE is at the forefront of this high-profile agenda. ATE is helping to deliver the Government’s ambitious vision for half of all journeys in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030. Joining the team now represents a genuine opportunity to shape planning decisions and policy at a time when other wider considerations like health, decarbonisation and economic growth are central government priorities.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Support ATE in delivering its spatial planning priorities through its plan-making and development management roles
• Formulate recommendations on emerging local plans and planning applications
• Contribute to the development of planning guidance
• Prepare and present evidence in response to challenges to ATE recommendations, and support negotiations to secure active travel infrastructure and measures
• Provide professional advice to colleagues across ATE, as well as to local and combined authorities, developers, agents and other relevant stakeholders on development proposals
• Contribute to ATE’s learning, development and capacity-building activities for local authorities and the development sector, including leading sessions where appropriate
• Attend meetings with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties as required

For further information on the role, please read the role profile which is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Membership:

If you do not already hold a RTPI or CIHT membership, you will have the opportunity to work towards this once in role, but you must be eligible for membership through relevant qualification and work experience.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Prior or current professional experience in spatial planning, with involvement in major development sites within the public, private or voluntary sectors
• Demonstrable experience providing technical recommendations under pressure, including presenting to Planning Committee and/or giving evidence at appeal or plan examination
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with a track record of delivering positive outcomes for the built environment
• Chartered membership of the RTPI or CIHT (or eligibility to apply for chartered membership at the time of application)

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 24 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation. 

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Closing date: 17 May 2026.