Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames - Principal Planner / Principal Planning Policy Officer

Shape Kingston’s Future – Lead, Influence, Deliver

We’re looking for experienced and ambitious Principal Planners and Principal Planning Policy Officers to play a leading role in shaping Kingston’s growth, development, and long-term spatial strategy. As a senior member of the Planning Service and Deputy Team Leader, you’ll manage complex projects, mentor colleagues, and help deliver excellence across both Development Management and Planning Policy.

Why Kingston?

From our historic riverside and vibrant market town to major regeneration schemes and evolving neighbourhoods, Kingston is one of London’s most dynamic boroughs. You’ll play a key role in high-profile projects—balancing heritage with innovation and creating sustainable, high-quality places for our communities.

Whether your strengths lie in development management, planning policy, or a combination of both, this is a chance to shape the borough’s physical, environmental, and social future.

What You’ll Do

Development Management Focus

• Lead on major and complex planning applications, ensuring compliance, quality, and timely outcomes.
• Review, sign off and make recommendations on planning applications of all types (subject to delegation).
• Represent the service at Planning Committees and Neighbourhood Committees, supporting effective decision-making.
• Provide expert advice to applicants, stakeholders and internal teams.

Planning Policy Focus

• Assist with the preparation of the Local Plan and related planning policy documents for specific areas, topics or neighbourhoods.
• Contribute to topic papers, planning briefs and policy material used across corporate strategy work.
• Support the programme of survey, data analysis and evidence gathering required for policy development.
• Assist in public participation and community engagement exercises.
• Monitor development trends across the borough and prepare related statistics and reporting.
• Advise on the policy implications of planning applications.
• Lead on transport policy advice, including responding to strategic consultations and interpreting Government strategies.

Leadership & Service Improvement

• Manage and mentor planners, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Lead individual projects and workstreams, sometimes including budget responsibility.
• Drive service innovation and contribute to annual planning processes and performance targets.
• Deputise for senior officers—up to and including the Head of Spatial Planning—as required.

What We’re Looking For:

Minimum Requirements

• Chartered membership (or eligibility for Chartered or Associate membership) of the RTPI.
• Experience meeting the criteria for progression from Grade I in the Role Profile.

Experience & Skills (Applicable Across Both Roles)

• Significant experience in Development Management or Planning Policy, including complex projects and strategic workstreams.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills with the ability to influence at senior level.
• Comprehensive understanding of planning legislation, local government operations, and relevant national policy.
• A proactive, customer-focused approach aligned to Kingston’s STAR values: Supportive, Transparent, Appreciative, Respectful.
• Able to achieve challenging performance targets and contribute to continuous improvement.

Planning Policy – Desirable Additional Experience

• Experience of Examinations in Public for the Local Plan.
• Experience managing policy-focused projects or supervising other planners.
• Ability to lead technical work, transport planning input, and strategic evidence development.

Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to help shape Kingston’s future—delivering sustainable growth, vibrant communities, and a forward-thinking planning service in one of London’s most exciting boroughs. If you’re ready to lead, influence, and deliver, we’d love to hear from you.

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.