Description
Principal Planning Officer (NSIP and Major Infrastructure Delivery):
Job description
- We currently have an exciting opportunity within our award-winning shared planning service. We are looking for a Principal Planner to join our growing Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) and Major Infrastructure Team. This role is focused on the delivery of major infrastructure projects across Greater Cambridge, including energy, water and strategic transport schemes. Your work will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for the City of Cambridge and the rural areas of South Cambridgeshire.
You will have responsibility for a portfolio of high-profile major infrastructure workstreams under the NSIP and Transport and Works Act Order regulatory regimes, taking the lead in coordinating the planning input of the two Councils. Your work will involve the management of key milestones and risks, working closely with colleagues across a range of professional disciplines, and with project promoters and statutory bodies. It is an expectation that you will engage proactively with stakeholders, including local communities, to ensure projects align with the Councils’ policies, procedures, and corporate plans.
Your work will play a key role in supporting the NSIP and Major Infrastructure Delivery Team Leader in the development, coordination, and management of major infrastructure projects across the Councils.
Your responsibilities will include specialist providing planning advice and support to internal and external partners, project promoters, and applicants. You will also oversee project progress, managing risk to ensure timely delivery. Your robust project management skills will also be tailored to major infrastructure projects, ensuring that Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) objectives and milestones are delivered in a timely manner.
You will have proven experience of dealing with the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects, including within the transport sector. Excellent presentation and communications skills are an important prerequisite of the role, as well as demonstratable experience of working with all stakeholders involved in the planning and development process.
Greater Cambridge Shared Planning was awarded Planning Authority of the Year at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2025. The award reflects the strength of our service and the way we work with partners and communities. This is an excellent time to join us as we expand capacity across major infrastructure workstreams.
- South Cambridgeshire District Council currently operates four-day week working arrangements. A four-day week is when full-time staff work one less day per week (four days instead of five) but still get paid the same salary. The idea is that we get 100% of our work done, in about 80% of the time, for 100% of the pay. The purpose is to deliver an excellent service to residents - whilst better supporting the health and wellbeing of our colleagues. Read more about the four-day week at the Council.
For an informal conversation about these roles, please contact Chenge Taruvinga, NSIP and Major Infrastructure Delivery Team Leader, or Philippa Kelly, Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites and NSIP/Major Infrastructure Projects)
- Closing Date: 9am 28 January 2026
- Interview Date: To be confirmed