Senior Planning Officer

Are you looking to take the next step in your planning career, or seeking a fresh challenge in a unique and dynamic location?

Dover District Council is seeking a motivated and ambitious Senior Planner to join our friendly Development Management team on a 12-month fixed-term contract and help deliver our exciting growth and regeneration agenda. 

With over £63 million of investment helping to transform the district, together with our iconic White Cliffs, stunning coastline, Kent Downs National Landscape and rich historic heritage, Dover is an exceptional place to live, work and help shape the future. 

In 2026, Dover District Council was recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Awards for Planning Excellence as Planning Authority of the Year, reflecting our commitment to delivering high-quality place-making, sustainable growth and excellent planning outcomes. We have an ambitious agenda to continue to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do - and you could play a vital role in this. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a varied caseload that reflects the district's ambitious regeneration programme, including town centre investment, employment growth, housing delivery and the protection of our exceptional natural and historic environment. 

A career with Dover District Council offers you the opportunity to excel. As an employer, we are 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 driving high-quality place-making, which is strongly supported by its elected members and is an essential component in the delivery of successful development and growth. 

The Role & Responsibilities  

Dover District Council is currently seeking a driven and motivated planner who is passionate about enabling positive development to work within the fast-paced Development Management Team on a range of development proposals.  

We welcome applications from planners with experience in either a local planning authority or planning consultancy environment. Whether you are an established Senior Planner or an experienced Planning Officer ready for progression, you will have the skills and confidence to manage a varied caseload and contribute positively to the delivery of sustainable development across the district. 

Working on a range of planning applications, pre-application enquiries and appeals, you will have a solid understanding of the role of planning and embrace principles of good design in creating well connected and sustainable communities. You will have a good grasp of the importance of developer contributions in delivering strategic infrastructure and the implementation of planning policy.  

Who We Are Looking For 

If you want to help shape the future living and working environment for the better, and you are seeking a role that presents challenge, unpredictability and daily diversity, this could be the perfect move. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for building your experience and progressing a career in planning.   

We are looking for planners who can work flexibly on a wide range of planning matters. You will be confident in effectively managing your caseload and will be adept at using your place-making skills in different contexts.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 you will work on your own cases and present them at Planning Committees. 

This role is offered on a 37-hour week, although part-time working will be considered.  

The role will be based at the Dover District Council Offices at Whitfield in Kent. We currently operate a hybrid working model, where your working time will be divided between the office and remote working. 

A current full driving licence effective in the UK and use of own car is also essential for this role. 

What Can We Offer? 

We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in. We also offer several employee benefits, such as: 

• Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program 
• Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity 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(site dependent)
• Cycle2Work scheme (after probation has ended)
• Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme(after probation has ended)
• Payment of RTPI Membership Fees.

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? 

For an informal discussion please contact Adam Reynolds, Development Team Leader at Adam.reynolds@dover.gov.uk or on 07510 383750, or Luke Blaskett, Development Management Team Leader on Luke.blaskett@dover.gov.uk 

Interviews will be held week commencing 14th September 2026. 

We reserve the right to interview and appoint candidates throughout the recruitment process.  

Early applications are strongly encouraged, as the vacancy may close once a suitable candidate is identified.