Job title: Principal Project Planner – Urban Design
Salary: Both posts PO4 £44,711- £47,754
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB. Hybrid working available.
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
Leeds is the UK’s fastest growing city and is the main economic driver of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with a £70 billion economy and a combined population of 3 million.
This brings exciting opportunities through new development and investment, to re-shape places, especially within the City Centre and the Inner City. The £1.5 billion Leeds Innovation Arc stretches along the east side of the City Centre from the university to the south bank of the River Aire. The Arc will be a global destination for people, investment and innovation. Set across 150 hectares of the city centre, the Arc will stitch together some of the most significant innovation assets in the north of England. It features a series of innovation neighbourhoods, formed around the Leeds General Infirmary, the universities, major private sector occupiers, the city station and Temple District.
Leeds Innovation Village at the Leeds General Infirmary will harness the wealth of expertise and knowledge across the city and create thousands of jobs in health innovation, engineering, financial and business services, data analytics and digital technologies. There are also ambitions to build two new hospitals to develop a world-class hub for research, innovation and technology in health and life sciences. Plans for the Innovation Village will need to bring heritage and urban design solutions to this part of the City so that existing planning guidance is implemented and key stakeholders are involved in the plans. Redevelopment of the Grade II listed Old Medical School will be an initial catalyst for wider development and investment and the Council has a key role in guiding the design and heritage solutions to this key building.
Underpinning the Innovation Arc is a Supplementary Planning Document which sets out ambitions for green infrastructure, public realm, connectivity, active travel and place-making, which will address the biggest societal challenges of our time with collaborative, diverse and innovative solutions. There will be over 3,000 new homes in and around the Arc, as well as space for two new city parks creating four hectares of new, meaningful green space.
The innovation Zone needs careful master planning and urban design solutions to ensure that it delivers on wider Council ambitions for inclusive growth, health and well-being as well as nature and net zero.
The Innovation Arc sits within wider exciting potential changes in Leeds, including:
- a Transformational Regeneration programme agreed with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, featuring six neighbourhood growth areas across the City Centre where over 20,000 new homes will be built,
- a new national poetry centre and British Library development at Temple Works a Grade I listed buidling
- a new Mass Rapid Transit system, being delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and local authorities, which will travel through the Innovation Zone
The City Council is also preparing an extensive update to its Local Plan with planning policies that will frame and help implement sustainable development in the Innovation Arc.
About the role
We are looking to appoint a dynamic and experienced Principal Project Planner to provide high quality expert advice and direction on urban design matters as they relate to the Innovation Arc, plan-making and the consideration of planning applications.
This position will sit within the Environment and Design Group which provides specialist advice and stewardship for urban design, architecture, building design, biodiversity and landscape, heritage and conservation, contaminated land and trees. The post will work very closely with the Principal Project Planner – Heritage, within the same service.
The Principal Project Planner will provide architecture, urban design and landscape architecture advice to help inform masterplanning and decision taking on planning applications. You will be involved in design appraisals in partnership with the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and other key stakeholders, including developers and working alongside other design and architecture officers within the team. You will be expected to advocate good design and work flexibly to deliver solutions to issues and constraints.
The post will also work closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority who are responsible for funding the project and liaising with Government on its progress and outcomes against an agreed work programme.
You will be expected to provide project management and leadership within these roles for your respective discipline driving forward your work to meet critical work programme paths and appropriate pre-application and application advice to meet targets and performance agreements.
You will also work closely with other Council colleagues that e.g. legal, transport, city centre management, environmental health, and wider planning colleagues.
You will be expected to keep abreast of changing national and local policy on your respective disciplines and show excellent understanding of the planning system and the operation of local government and working in partnership.
This is an exciting opportunity to help drive forward innovation, economic growth, within the Council and with both small and large developers. This is also an important time for design as it is central to the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system and will require new approaches to be implemented.
About you
You will be able to demonstrate your personal and project management qualities through the delivery of complex projects, both as a design specialist and as a driven individual and a Council officer who can utilise the skills of colleagues.
You will have extensive experience of working on large-scale projects and delivering positive change across communities. You will be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of how planning relates to design and be able to demonstrate innovation and creativity in tackling these issues through place-making and planning solutions. You will be able to use and utilise a wide range of digital tools to deliver projects and will need to demonstrate the ability to provide expert advice and guidance both informally and in formal settings to a wide range of stakeholders including elected members.
You will need to demonstrate good personal management skills, motivation and the ability to adapt to a changing work environment.
Above all, you will be an ambassador for design quality for the City of Leeds and will have the vision to see how the complex needs of the Innovation Arc can best be realised through development which places these issues at the heart of masterplanning and decision taking.
You will be technically qualified to degree level in a relevant subject and be eligible for membership of a relevant professional body.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact John Stonard john.stonard@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 336 8297.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
To be responsible for a range of activities within the Strategic Planning Service, including the management of specific projects and technical work, to support the delivery of services to consistently high standards which meet Directorate objectives and demanding performance targets.
Responsibilities for Grade: 
- To take the lead role on managing specific cases, projects, programme management or technical work which could include major and/or complex policy, local planning and implementation issues to ensure delivery of services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Best Council Plan and comply with Government Standards.
- To undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Environment & Design Group and Best Council Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
- Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team. 
- To carry out line management responsibilities and play a key role in the development of staff in the workplace, including training and mentoring or take lead responsibility for the delivery and development of specific major projects and programmes and to deputise for the Team Leader in this regard.
- Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing e-government objectives.
- To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways that support open, responsive and accountable government.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
- Undertake work in connection with major projects and initiatives including, income generation, Section 106 agreements and/or planning appeals and Development Inquiries (including being the Council’s expert witness at major public inquiries).
- To co-ordinate, project manage and monitor, the implementation of schemes in relation to planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To liaise with partners and stakeholders in the evaluation and monitoring of specific capital and revenue schemes consistent with negotiated planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To work closely with Development Management in monitoring and implementing planning agreements, obligations and undertakings as part of an integrated Departmental system.
- Represent the Council at public meetings, Panel, Boards, events and in other public and/or political forums.
- To lead and manage specific service improvement and customer service projects.
- Undertake liaison at local community forums, informing and involving Ward Members, local communities and other stakeholders in Development Plan preparation and project implementation.
- All other duties considered commensurate with the post. 
 Qualifications
A relevant qualification (e.g. Town Planning, Design or Architecture) is essential.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
- Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
- Ability to deliver projects and initiatives in a service or operational area relevant to the area of service delivery in the remit of the post. 
- Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies. 
- Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance. 
- Ability to coach and mentor staff within the specific project or technical field  
Knowledge Required 
- Detailed understanding of current UK and international ecology (including nature conservation and biodiversity) policy and legislation 
- Detailed understanding of ecology as it relates to the built environment, climate change, sustainability and data analysis 
- Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context. 
- Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery. 
- Understanding of public sector issues. 
Experience Required 
- Experience of making effective contributions to internal and external meetings. 
- Experience of taking forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation. 
- Experience of resolving conflict. 
- Experience of negotiating solutions. 
- Experience of developing productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence. 
- Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross projects. 
- Experience of managing competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities. 
Behavioural & other Characteristics required 
- An understanding of service delivery issues. 
- Experience of delivering services to meet customer needs. 
- Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery. 
- Understanding of employees’ responsibility for health and safety. 
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role.  Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.   
Skills Required 
- Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results. 
Knowledge Required 
- Understanding of the legal frameworks of the town and country planning system 
Experience Required 
- Experience of developing and contributing to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes. 
Behavioural & other Characteristics required 
- As above
