Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames - Lead Officer – Development Management (Majors)

Shape Strategic Growth. Lead Complex Development. Deliver Excellence for Kingston.

We’re looking for an outstanding planning professional to lead Kingston’s major applications service — a pivotal role at the centre of one of London’s most ambitious and diverse planning contexts. If you’re motivated by complex growth challenges, high‑profile regeneration, strategic partnerships and the opportunity to influence Kingston’s future places, this is the role for you.

Why Kingston?

Kingston faces significant growth pressures, ambitious regeneration opportunities and evolving London Plan requirements. From major brownfield redevelopment and town centre intensification to sensitive heritage settings and climate‑positive design expectations, Kingston’s planning landscape is as challenging as it is rewarding. You’ll be at the forefront of delivering the borough’s most strategically important developments.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and coordinate all aspects of the planning process for major, strategic and complex planning applications, ensuring high‑quality, timely and defensible decisions.
• Provide authoritative technical advice on planning legislation, the London Plan, Kingston’s Local Plan and all material considerations.
• Project‑manage Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs), negotiating robust and deliverable programmes with applicants and consultees.
• Oversee committee reports, Member briefings, design review submissions and key outputs, ensuring clarity, transparency and high standards.
• Represent the Council at Planning Committee, briefings and major stakeholder meetings.
• Act as expert witness at hearings and public inquiries for major applications.
• Lead negotiations on planning obligations, affordable housing, viability, infrastructure requirements and delivery mechanisms.
• Champion design quality, inclusive placemaking, climate resilience and sustainable development outcomes.
• Build strong working relationships with developers, the GLA, TfL, statutory bodies, community stakeholders and internal services.
• Provide visible leadership, coaching and quality assurance to Principal, Senior and Planning Officers.
• Support service modernisation, digital transformation, performance improvements and innovation.
• Contribute to corporate initiatives linked to regeneration, sustainability, infrastructure planning and inclusive growth.
• Deputise for the Corporate Head of Planning when required.

What we’re looking for:

• Degree in Town Planning or a closely related built‑environment discipline.
• Chartered Membership of the RTPI (or eligible for chartered status).
• Extensive experience managing major and complex planning applications in a London or high‑density urban authority.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence senior stakeholders and deliver high‑quality, sustainable development outcomes.
• Strong understanding of urban design, climate action, infrastructure planning and best practice in major development management.
• Confidence and clarity in Member engagement, committee presentation and political environments.
• Significant experience negotiating S106 agreements, viability and infrastructure contributions.
• Excellent communication, project management and problem‑solving skills.

Our values matter.

As a Lead Officer, you’ll model Kingston’s STAR values — being:

• Supportive – promoting collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement
• Transparent – fostering open, clear and constructive communication
• Appreciative – recognising success and supporting staff wellbeing
• Respectful – valuing inclusion, equity and positive relationships

Join us and lead Kingston’s major planning work — influencing strategic development, strengthening community outcomes and helping shape one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.

For a confidential discussion contact: brian.gallagher@penna.com or 07716 098175

For further information visit: https://kingstonjobs.co.uk/

Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 1st March 2026

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
6. If you have a long term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com to inform the Penna team.