Planner

Are you looking to take the next step in your career in a rewarding role that offers a varied mix of development management, strategic planning, and national projects? Are you after an opportunity to influence local and national sport and physical activity agendas?

We are seeking to add to our established Planning Team based around the country to help deliver our high quality statutory and strategic planning functions. The Planner role sits in our National Team where you’ll be able to contribute to national projects, partnership engagement and strategic planning. You’ll also get chance to support our Area Planning Teams in handling planning application and Local Plan consultations.

The Planning Team role is about protecting formal sports facilities and helping to create active environments where people can be active in their everyday lives, and not just through playing sport. We therefore work with a wider network of partners such as the TCPA and Sustrans. “We want to make the choice to be active easier and more appealing for everyone, whether that’s how we choose to move around our local neighbourhood or a dedicated facility for a sport or activity” – Our Ambition - Active Environments, Sport England Strategy ‘Uniting the Movement’.

Together, we won’t stop until everyone has the opportunity, the inspiration, and the freedom to get moving. If you’re looking for a fresh challenge, and a unique opportunity to broaden your experience, then you can help us do this.

Sport England recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly where we are under-represented, currently, this includes disabled people and those from culturally diverse communities.

Role Purpose

The position will provide an opportunity to build on your current planning knowledge and skills whilst helping ensure that the planning system provides environments and places that enable people to benefit from sport and physical activity.

The role will allow you to gain an understanding of the value of playing fields and sports facilities to communities. You will have the opportunity to engage with local authorities and National Governing Bodies for Sport, such as the Football Foundation and England and Wales Cricket Board through our planning application and strategic work. You will gain valuable experience and unique insight into the wide-ranging role of a statutory consultee.

Skills & Experience

Essential

Good time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to engage with stakeholders to deliver Sport England’s planning and wider strategic aims as set out in Uniting the Movement.

Under-graduate degree in Planning (RTPI recognised course) or post graduate degree or diploma in planning (RTPI recognised course)

Experience of working in a local planning authority, private sector consultancy or other relevant agency in such areas as policy development, regeneration, or development.

Previous experience of contributing to policy and strategy preparation, such as local development plan.

Previous experience in using multiple data sets, tools and techniques to support the production of robust strategies.

Knowledge of National Planning Policy Framework and Sport England’s policy and statutory role in relation to playing fields.

Knowledge of and ability to apply Planning Law.

Knowledge of Sport England’s wider policies in relation to planning.

Proven ability to work collaboratively and make positive contributions to overall performance.

A proven track record of delivery and ability to meet deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to use evidence to create comprehensive and compelling arguments.

Intermediate MS Office skills.

Desirable

Experience of using GIS and associated database analysis