Spatial planning team leader

Spatial Planning Team Leader

Active Travel England

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th May 2026

📍 Location: York (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

💷 Salary: £57,515 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 1

Active Travel England (ATE) plays a central role in delivering the Government’s ambition for half of journeys in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030. This role sits within ATE’s statutory spatial planning function, overseeing development management and plan-making services. You will lead core planning activity, manage a multidisciplinary team, and bring strong expertise in active travel, sustainable transport policy and stakeholder engagement.

Top Responsibilities

* Support ATE in delivering its spatial planning priorities through its plan-making and development management roles

* Lead and line-manage a team of four colleagues, supporting continuous professional development and ensuring new starters are effectively onboarded

* Allocate new cases, oversee workloads and support the Head of Development Management in driving consistency and quality across outputs

* Build productive relationships with key external stakeholders to position ATE as a centre of excellence and promote best practice

* 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

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.

About You

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

* Significant experience preparing or assessing major urban extensions, regeneration sites and/or new settlements

* Demonstrable experience providing technical recommendations under pressure, including presenting to Planning Committee and/or giving evidence at appeal or plan examination

* Proven experience of line management and supporting staff development

* Strong communication and negotiation skills, with a track record of delivering positive outcomes for the built environment

Essential Membership:

* Chartered membership of the RTPI or CIHT

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential memberships at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 10th May 2026