Are you looking to take a step up in your planning career? Or perhaps you are seeking fresh challenges in a new location?

Dover District Council is seeking a motivated and ambitious Planning Policy Team Leader to help lead our planning policy and projects team on an 18-month fixed term contract. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for building your experience at a management level in planning.

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 which is strongly supported by its elected members. 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.

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.

The Role & Responsibilities
As the Team Leader within the planning policy and projects team, you will lead a team of professional planning officers and technical staff to implement local policies following the adoption of the Local Plan in 2024 and prepare and produce additional guidance.

The role requires providing professional advice, information and guidance on all relevant matters to planning policy, including leading the teams approach to responding to planning applications to ensure consistent application of local and national policy in development management decisions. You will be required to appear as an expert witness for the Council at examinations in public and other planning appeals, public inquiries and court hearings, as required.

You will have a good grasp of the importance of developer contributions in delivering strategic infrastructure and will manage the work of the S106 Monitoring Officer in terms of securing and spending developer obligations and production of the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

As Team Leader, you will be responsible for day-to-day management responsibilities, including direct staff management and assignment of team resources whilst ensuring implementation of the Corporate Plan and relevant Council policies. You will provide advice to elected members and management team and support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager to contribute to the wider management of the service, including at Council and other public meetings.

A full valid UK driving license is required for this role (and use of a motor vehicle for business use).

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for an experienced planner with substantial and coherent understanding of preparing planning policy documents 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 that of your team and will have experience in monitoring and reporting procedures, such as land supply reports and AMRs.
You must be able to show competence in project delivery and associated management of external consultants and demonstrate excellent report writing, research and analysis skills.
You will also have experience at examination or appeal hearings/inquiries and advising on planning policy matters through the planning application process.
You will need a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

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 stakeholders and elected councillors.

If you are an experienced policy 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 fixed term role that presents challenge and daily diversity, this could be the perfect move.

What Can We Offer?

The role is for a fixed term of 18-month period and will be based at the Dover District Council Offices at Whitfield in Kent. 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
Cycle2Work scheme (eligibility criteria applies)
Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (eligibility criteria applies)
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?

If you would like a further discussion about the post then please contact Carly Pettit, Planning Policy and Projects Manager on 01304 793208 or at Carly.Pettit@dover.gov.uk.

Interviews to be held week commencing 19th October.