Overview

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint two Principal Planning Policy Officers to join the Homes and Regeneration team. These roles offer the opportunity to lead workstreams for the region’s Spatial Development Strategy—a comprehensive plan to guide how the West of England will grow in the future, setting out strategic policies for future Local Plans to respond to. There are two roles available with slight variations in preferred experience; please state which role you are applying for in your application. If you would like an informal conversation with the hiring manager, contact the people below.

Interviews are planned to be held during w/c 22 September. The closing date for this role is 14 September.

For informal conversations, please contact:

• Victoria Robinson, Planning Policy Lead, Victoria.Robinson@WestofEngland-ca.gov.uk
• Alex Cobb, Head of Place Strategy, Alex.Cobb@WestofEngland-ca.gov.uk

Responsibilities

• Lead workstreams for the region’s Spatial Development Strategy
• Contribute to shaping policies for future Local Plans and regional growth
• Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to deliver long-term change for the West of England

What we’re looking for

• Ability to lead workstreams for the region’s Spatial Development Strategy
• Motivation to deliver long-term change for the region and to operate with Government and Committee backing
• There are two roles available with slight variations in preferred experience; please refer to the Job Description attached to this advert for details

Our offer and responsibilities

The salary for this role is £56,963 - £62,682 (full-time equivalent). This is the salary point for a full-time role and will be pro-rata for part-time. External appointments typically start at the lowest point of the salary range, with opportunities for progression in exceptional cases where higher skill levels or experience are applicable.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of continuous service; option to increase annual leave through the annual leave purchase scheme
• 1 day of paid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contribution of 15.3%
• Flexible, family-friendly and hybrid working options (typically 2–3 days in the office each week)
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

The West of England is an amazing part of the world to live and work. We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Note: The salary is the full-time equivalent and will be pro-rata for part-time work. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new external appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases.

We believe in a culture of continuous learning and development and provide a diverse range of learning opportunities to support your growth and success.

Good Employment Charter

As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We ensure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Reasonable adjustments

If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or require additional support that means you might need changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, submitting your application in a different format), please contact our Resourcing Team at Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications, so don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll notify you of any new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency? We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be treated as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.

Attached documents

• JD - Principal Planning Policy Officer 08 2025.docx

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Other

Industries

• Public Policy Offices