• Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• £46,670 - £57,025 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week- Flexible working options available
• Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we are driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That is why, when you join us as an Principal Transport Development Planner, you will be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career. Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• A key purpose is to formulate the Highway Authority's response to major and strategic planning consultations, Local Plans and Development Frameworks across the county.
• You will manage the effective delivery of pre-planning advice to stakeholders. This will require co-ordinating timely, meaningful responses across the Development Management team within agreed timescales.
• You will be required to manage the work of a team with up to 4 direct reporting members of staff. Undertake annual performance and development reviews (PDR) for all staff under direct line management. You will be responsible for ensuring that where possible consultation responses from your team are sent within nationally agreed timescales.
• To co-ordinate the Highway Authorities response and represent the Highway Authority at Public Inquiries and planning appeals to defend the position of the Highway Authority. To represent the Highway Authority in relation to development management at public meetings and Planning Committee meetings as appropriate.
• To provide expert advice to planning authorities and councillors on complex and challenging highways issues.
• Capable of representing the team at meetings with internal and external organisations (as appropriate) to provide expert advice in area of work, sometimes in challenging circumstances.

You will need

• Passion for promoting high standards of sustainable transport in new developments by influencing a wide audience as to the benefits for the people of Suffolk.
• Good level of understanding of all aspects of highway design and construction and relevant sections of the Highway Act.
• To act with a high level of autonomy on a wide range of issues and only require guidance on particularly difficult or controversial issues.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx) If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

• The Transport Planning Teams forms part of the wider Transport Strategy team, helping to deliver growth across Suffolk. This includes, Development Management, ensuring new developments are sustainable in highway terms to support Suffolk's growth ambitions.
• We secure funding, and the delivery of new transport infrastructure and initiatives, including active travel.
• We are a team that works together to provide comments on the suitability of new development in highway terms to local planning authorities.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk) .

For more information

Please contact Carl Ashton (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can reach him by calling 01473 265923 or emailing: carl.ashton@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

1. Can you describe a time when you had to coordinate a strategic response to a complex planning consultation? What was your approach and what was the outcome?
2. Describe your experience managing a team. How have you supported staff development
3. Tell us about a time you analysed a complex Transport Assessment. What were the key issues and how did you address them?
4. Can you share an example of when you had to represent your organisation at a public inquiry or planning appeal? How did you prepare and what was the result?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 7 August 2025.

Interview date: week commencing, 1 September 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .