Strategic Development Officer

Permanent

Full Time - consideration would be given to undertaking this post on a part-time basis and this can be discussed further during the interview

£38,833 to £45,685 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 11th May 2026

As an anywhere worker the role allows for home or remote working combined with regular attendance in County Hall and the requirement to carry out site visits and meetings. Contractually based at County Hall offices in Chelmsford.

The Opportunity

The Strategic Development Officer contributes to the delivery of the Council’s Highways and Transportation Strategic Development service, producing a first-class service for customers and securing and co-ordinating the provision of privately funded infrastructure, to meet the challenges of delivering the Local Planning Authority’s targets for housing and employment in Essex. The role will assess the highways and transportation aspects of new development proposals and prepare consultation responses, negotiate and obtain funding for new infrastructure, to assist with the delivery of high quality and connected development and public space.

With membership of a relevant professional body, experience of working in a highways and transportation environment and dealing with development proposals this role will require a knowledge of highways legislation and transport planning policy and practice, the development plan system and planning legislation.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Accountabilities

Contributes to quantifying, evaluating and formulating responses to statutory consultations and pre-application enquiries in respect of planning proposals and associated applications, ensuring subsequent approvals accord with Government and Essex County Council Strategic Development (SD) Policies.
Promotion of policies and measures which increase the use of active and sustainable travel including walking, wheeling and cycling, public transport and other alternatives to the private car,
Responsible for researching and preparing information to assist with the formulation of statutory consultations and pre application enquiries and statements to support planning appeals.
Presenting this at planning committee meetings and Planning Appeal Hearings, where required.
Provides advice on highways and transportation matters and policies across the Council and to the public and elected members.
Works with colleagues within Essex Highways, particularly the Development Management team who are responsible for the delivery of developer highway works.
Provides technical advice to the S106 team to inform design briefs to Essex Highways for the design and delivery of schemes.
Contributes to the management of external consultants, when carrying assessments of transportation studies.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Possesses a relevant qualification and/or degree in a related subject or equivalent proven relevant experience in the field of highways and transportation.
Evidence of continuing professional development and membership of one of the following, Institute of Highways & Transportation, Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers, Royal Town Planning Institute, or other appropriate professional body.
Experience gained working in a transportation environment, dealing with development proposals.
Knowledge of highways legislation and transport planning policy and practice, the development plan system and planning and highways legislation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships which are collaborative and engender delivery.
Use of Microsoft Office

We are also able to consider applications from recent graduates.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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