Are you looking totake a step up in your planning career?Orperhaps youareseekingfresh challenges in a new location?
Dover District Council is looking for a Senior Policy Planner to join our experienced and supportive Planning Policy and Projects team. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for building your experience and progressing a career in planning.
Dover District Council has an exciting agenda to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do. From building new, affordable homes to exciting regeneration schemes, a career with Dover District Council offers you the opportunity to excel.
As an employer, Dover District Council is proud to provide a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible working environment in which our employees can thrive. We have a team of enthusiastic employees, delivering services they are passionate about.
Dover’s Planning and Development Service has a successful record of plan-making and driving high-quality place-making, which is strongly supported by its elected members.
The Role & Responsibilities
As a senior planner within the planning policy team, you will take an active role in the preparation, adoption, implementation and review of the Council’s Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Guidance/Plans and supporting evidence base and will independently manage projects and areas of policy development. You will play a leading role in the production of key policy documents such as the Authority Monitoring Report, Land Supply Report and Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
You will provide planning policy advice on planning applications and pre‑application enquiries. Engagement with the community and involvement in the preparation of neighbourhood development plans are key aspects of the role.
This role will involve attendance at external and public meetings, examinations and appeal hearings or inquiries and you will have the opportunity to support and guide junior members of the team.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a planner with at least 2 to 3 years’ experience in town planning and a working knowledge of planning legislation, who can take a lead role on a wide range of planning policy projects. An understanding of local government structures and procedures is essential.
You will be confident in effectively managing your workload and will have experience in preparing planning policy documents, plan‑making practice and monitoring and reporting procedures. You must have practical experience of project delivery with excellent report writing, research and analysis skills.
You will also have experience at examination or appeal hearings and advising on planning policy matters through the application process. Good IT skills and experience with Microsoft office products is expected.
The ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively will be really important – you will be regularly working with a variety of internal and external customers and elected councillors.
If you are a planner who is confident in successfully leading projects through to delivery with excellent communication skills, the enthusiasm to support and guide junior members of the team and you are seeking a role that presents challenge and daily diversity, this could be the perfect move.
What Can We Offer?
We work in a hybrid way with a mix of office (2 days a week minimum required) and home working (business need permitting).
We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in. We also offer several employee benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, such as:
* Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program
* Opt‑in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
* Generous annual leave provision
* Discount scheme including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
* On‑site parking
* Cycle 2 Work scheme
* Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
The quality of your application will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
For an alternative format, or to apply using a different method, please contact us.
What Next?
If you would like a further discussion about the post then please contact Carly Pettit, Planning Policy Team Leader – Carly.Pettit@dover.gov.uk or 01304 793208.
Interviews to be held on Thursday 22nd January 2026
Job Advert Closes Midnight on Monday 12th January 2026
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