Principal City Planner

Role: Principal City Planner (5348)

Salary:
Circa £58,500 depending on skills, knowledge and experience

Band: 3

Position type: Perm

Location: Endeavour Square & Palestra (Stratford/ central London/Hybrid)

Hybrid working within this role consists of at least three days a week in the office with up to two days a week working from home.. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

This role is at the forefront of TfL's efforts to deliver the vision of the London Plan and Mayor’s Transport Strategy and influence the future shape of London. It will ensure evidence-based policy helps London become a healthier, more liveable and sustainable city through the delivery of new homes and jobs, better public transport and Healthy Streets.

You will work to ensure this ambitious vision is fully reflected in all areas of planning in London through the: strategic approach in the London Plan, ensuring borough local plans are aligned to the London Plan, as well as by advising development management colleagues on challenging cases. You will work closely with the GLA to ensure transport supports new homes and jobs as well as the other ‘Good Growth’ objectives in the London Plan, and alongside teams in TfL to ensure growth is properly considered across a range of policy, project and analytical work.

The role requires taking the initiative to develop new policy ideas and to set out evidence-driven, succinct and persuasive policy narratives, both in writing and orally, including to high-profile planning examinations and meetings with stakeholders.

As well as excellent communication skills, a strong understanding of analysis and ability to work with other teams to deliver results is required. The role also offers opportunities to develop a broad understanding of London’s transport context, expert-level knowledge on key topics and a wider appreciation for issues including housing, the economy, public health and the environment.

• Develop evidence-based policies, plans and projects for a portfolio/mode/geographic area, including option generation, analysis, commissioning research, conducting best practice reviews, and understanding operational and stakeholder needs
• Build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing TfL on important working groups, at meetings, seminars, events and conferences and providing expert advice on specific areas of focus
• Work with the GLA, boroughs and others to shape their strategies and plans to better integrate transport and land use planning, ensure transport priorities are fully understood and reflected, and to develop and promote best practice and innovative solutions to address the challenges facing London
• Act as the lead for assigned projects, managing inputs from across TfL and beyond, balancing competing priorities, negotiating key outcomes with external parties and providing advice to senior colleagues
• Work flexibly in a matrix environment and manage a diverse range of projects to support TfL priorities, including resource planning, commissioning of work, management of virtual cross-functional teams, and provide guidance to less experienced colleagues
• Draft briefings, reports, presentations for senior people internally/externally to influence and support decisions around the development and promotion of policies / area plans / projects and build alliances & resolve issues to secure wider buy-in
• Manage complex modal, area, corridor or other studies to understand the transport challenges and develop potential options to address them, including the appraisal of schemes and policies and development of robust business cases

• Relevant qualification at degree level or higher and/or professional membership / qualification of a recognised professional Institution (e.g. ICE; IHT; CILT; RTPI) or equivalent experience (essential)
• In depth knowledge and practical application of emerging best practices in some of the following areas: transport, economics, appraisal, land use planning, environment, public health and urban design (essential)
• Detailed understanding of cities from the…