Major Projects Planner (Development Management)

12 months Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity

We are looking for someone with an analytical approach to their work who has excellent organisational and communication skills and can influence at a senior level. Research, project management, and problem solving skills are essential for this role. Candidates must have awareness and understanding of current planning issues as they relate to inner urban areas and their implications for the future of Development Management, along with experience of relevant tools. You will have a postgraduate qualification in Town Planning and membership of, or eligibility for, the RTPI.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Hackney is one of Britain's most exciting and fastest-changing boroughs. It is a vibrant and diverse area with a dense and complex built environment and we are committed to promoting sustainable development and high quality design for the benefit of Hackney’s communities. Our Growth Team, of which the Major Applications Team is part, provides a range of vital services within the Borough and promotes a culture of positive planning across the Council to maximise the benefits for our residents and businesses. We are looking to develop our existing team to maintain a high performing, high morale environment within the Planning Service.

We now have an opportunity to recruit a Major Projects Planner (Development Management) with extensive experience in development management including major and strategically significant proposals. Reporting to the Major Applications Team Leader, you will have lead responsibility for handling development management matters of strategic/significant importance to the borough. This will involve working collaboratively and promoting a culture of positive planning by negotiating with developers and other interested parties to secure positive outcomes on applications and secure financial and wider community benefits. This position carries great responsibility but also provides a great deal of freedom for the right applicant.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 03 July 2026 (22:59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 20 July 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: [email protected]