Strategic Planner

Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.

Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the role

This role is in the Development Management team within Planning and Regeneration, where you will be part of a high quality statutory planning service dealing with a wide variety of strategic planning applications with competing priorities. You will be assessing major planning applications that are referred to the Mayor, and will present your planning recommendations directly to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors. You will understand how to apply the London Plan in a pragmatic and sensible way that encourages and delivers the Mayor’s objectives.

What your day will look like

 Your job will involve a wide range of duties including:

• Leading pre-application meetings with developer teams and boroughs to discuss forthcoming major developments across London and provide strategic planning advice.
• Assessing planning applications of strategic importance that are referred to the Mayor and preparing written planning reports.
• Presenting planning recommendations directly to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors at the Mayor’s weekly planning meeting
• Working collaboratively with other teams across the GLA including viability, the Design Unit and the Place Unit, TfL, Environment and London Plan teams
• Engaging with London boroughs and applicants to ensure delivery of Good Growth ambitions              

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Substantial progress towards either a degree in planning or equivalent or post graduate qualification with eligibility for Royal Town Planning Institute membership.
• Knowledge and understanding of national, regional and London strategic planning and development issues, legal processes, policy trends, and broad knowledge and understanding of local planning issues and processes and a knowledge of urban design and place making.
• Evidence of an ability to investigate, analyse and present policy and urban design solutions for planning issues.
• Excellent communication skills; and evidence of ability to prepare clear and concise reports, presentations and briefings, including an ability to illustrate ideas through mapping and graphics presentations.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic thinking - is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action
• Communicating and Influencing - is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us
• Decision Making - is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.
• Planning and Organising - is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Problem solving - is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Connaire Osullivan would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Connaire.Osullivan@london.gov.uk 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further. 

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is W/C 5th October 2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. 

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.