About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join Cumberland Council’s Planning Policy team, part of the wider Strategy and Policy service. The team plays a key role in shaping the future of the area through the development and delivery of the Local Plan and other planning policy documents. These documents form the statutory framework for making planning decisions and support the Council’s wider objectives around health, housing, the economy, the environment, and infrastructure.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing a wide range of technical, data, mapping, and digital services that support the development of planning policy. Your work will involve gathering, analysing, and presenting planning data, supporting evidence-based policy-making, and helping to ensure the Local Plan and associated documents are accessible, accurate, and up to date.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and monitoring planning data, including land use, housing, economic, and environmental statistics
• Leading the production of key planning documents such as the Annual Monitoring Report and the 5-year housing land supply statement
• Supporting the development and review of the Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents
• Undertaking research, analysis, and site visits to inform planning policies
• Creating high-quality maps and visual data using GIS to support planning documents and decision-making
• Coordinating with the Council’s digital team to manage and improve planning policy content on the Council’s website
• Leading on the digital transformation of planning policy, including enabling interactive digital access to Local Plan documents and mapping

This role offers a great opportunity for someone with strong analytical, digital, and mapping skills who wants to make a meaningful impact on how Cumberland grows and develops for the future.

This role is available on a permanent basis.

Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Chris Hoban by email at Chris.Hoban@Cumberland.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments
We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: Wednesday 30^th April 2025

Interview date: Monday 12^th May 2025

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council