Enforcement Appeals: Everything You Need to Know
16 Dec, 2024
Navigating Career Levels in Planning: Senior vs Principal
16 Dec, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- The responsibilities of a Senior Planner.
- The responsibilities of a Principal Planner.
- The difference between Senior Planners and Principal Planners.
- Who employs Senior Planners and Principal Planners.
- Where the latest planning jobs are and how to apply for them.
Looking to progress your career in planning? Whether you're just starting out in the planning sector and have high aspirations, or you’re a seasoned planner working your way up the career ladder, we’re here to differentiate between the important positions of a Senior Planner and Principal Planner.
What are the responsibilities of a Senior Planner?
Throughout planning projects, a Senior Planners responsibilities include:
- Providing technical advice to advise clients, developers and stakeholders about planning regulations and policies which must be adhered to.
- Preparing and submitting planning applications and reviewing applications for their compliance with local and national planning policies.
- Overseeing the progression of a planning project and coordinating junior planners to ensure the project remains on time and on budget.
- Preparing comprehensive planning reports and presenting findings to planning committees.
- Ensuring that developments and planning projects incorporate sustainable design methods and adhere to environmental standards where possible.
What are the responsibilities of a Principal Planner?
A Principal Planner is responsible for a number of important tasks throughout a planning project, including:
- Ensuring that planning policies are adhered to at all times throughout projects and ensuring that national and local regulations and statutory requirements are met.
- Taking lead on the development of complex urban planning policies.
- Making sure that a project's strategies align with social, economic and environmental targets.
- Collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, such as community organisations, local authorities and the public in order to build trust and consensus around planning projects.
- Implementing sustainability principles into planning policies and taking consideration of the environmental impact that development projects can have on local communities.
What is the difference between Senior Planners and Principal Planners?
The roles of Senior Planners and Principal Planners can be differentiated by their hierarchy within the planning sector, whether this be in a local authority or private organisation.
The difference between the two roles can be broken down into the following:
- Skills and experience.
- Authority to make decisions.
- Level of responsibility.
Skills and experience
The skills and experience required to be a Senior Planner or Principal Planner can vary in some cases.
For example, to earn the position of a Senior Planner, a person will typically need around 3 to 5 years experience within the planning sector. This can of course vary depending on the employer. To earn the position of a Principal Planner on the other hand, a professional will usually be required to have 5 to 10 plus years of experience within the planning sector under their belt.
A professional hoping to progress to a Senior Planner might find it useful to possess expertise in regulatory frameworks and technical knowledge. Planners must also demonstrate a sound knowledge of UK planning law, such as the National Planning Policy Framework, in order to demonstrate their capability as a Senior Planner.
Principal Planners have often spent a decade or more in the planning field and therefore have already acquired a wealth of experience across the sector. This means that those aspiring to reach this position will benefit from expertise in complex planning projects such as urban regeneration schemes and mixed-use developments.
Aspiring Principal Planners must also be skilled negotiators and able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, although this is a desired skill at all levels of the planning career ladder.
Authority to make decisions
The level of authority to make decisions can vary between Senior Planners and Principal Planners. For example, a Senior Planner is usually expected to provide recommendations on planning applications but does not usually make any final decisions, unless this job is specifically delegated to them.
A Principal Planner on the other hand plays an important role in strategic decision-making and is responsible for influencing policies and developing plans at a higher level. They may also have delegated authority to make decisions towards applications.
Level of responsibility
The level of responsibility Senior Planners and Principal Planners hold can also differ. For example, a Senior Planner usually works on more complex projects than a junior or assistant planner, however they typically still operate under the guidance of a Principal Planner. Therefore, a Principal Planner can be responsible for overseeing the work of a Senior Planner.
A Principal Planner is often responsible for overseeing teams of planners and they can act as decision-makers and leaders when dealing with planning issues.
Who employs Senior Planners and Principal Planners?
Senior Planners and Principal Planners can be employed throughout a number of organisations across the UK, including:
- Local authorities.
- Private sector planning consultancies.
- Property development companies.
- Housing Associations.
Local authorities
Many planning jobs are found within the public sector with local authorities being one of the largest employers of planners throughout the United Kingdom. Within local authorities, Senior and Principal Planners are frequently employed to work on local plan preparation and assist with community engagement.
Private sector planning consultancies
Private sector planning consultancies employ planners to provide advice to developers and investors and are frequently involved in a variety of projects from residential to commercial developments. Senior Planners usually take responsibility for conducting site appraisals and Principal Planners will take responsibility for managing high-profile projects.
Property development companies
Planners might be employed by developers in order to oversee and manage certain aspects of their project and might be responsible for assisting a property development company to meet compliance and regulatory standards.
Housing Associations
Housing associations are responsible for delivering affordable housing to those who need it and helping to regenerate communities. Planners working within housing associations might be expected to work on developments whilst ensuring they meet the needs of a local community and adhere to regulation.
Planning jobs
If you’re searching for your next interim planning job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Planning recruitment services
As planning recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with our planning specialist, Josh Draycott, on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
Related Posts
