Graduate Planner

The role

Step into an exciting career with Southwark’s Planning and Growth Division as a Graduate Planner in our Planning Policy team. This is your chance to join a supportive graduate programme designed to help you develop professional skills, gain hands-on experience across all areas of planning, and work towards RTPI accreditation. In this role, you’ll contribute to the preparation of the Southwark Local Plan, carry out research, write policy, and support the monitoring of development activity, all while collaborating with consultants, partners, and local stakeholders to help shape a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable borough.

Your work will have a real impact on the borough’s growth and regeneration, turning complex planning and design challenges into clear, practical policies that guide decision-making. You’ll be involved in projects that support strategic priorities, from delivering affordable housing and sustainable transport solutions to enhancing community infrastructure. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to see how planning decisions shape the lives of Southwark’s residents and the future of its built environment.

In addition to varied and meaningful work, you’ll benefit from a collaborative environment where learning and professional development are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues, take part in mentoring and training opportunities, and work closely with teams across Development Management and Transport Planning. This role provides a strong foundation for a rewarding career in planning, allowing you to grow your expertise while making a tangible difference in your community.

What makes this role stand out?

• Shape the Future: Play a direct role in developing policies and projects that shape the growth, environment, and communities of Southwark.
• Hands-On Learning: Gain real-world experience across all areas of planning while progressing towards RTPI accreditation.
• Collaborative and Impactful: Work alongside experienced colleagues, stakeholders, and cross-departmental teams to deliver meaningful change.

What you'll be doing:

• Contribute to shaping Southwark’s future by drafting and developing planning policies, including the Local Plan.
• Turn research and data into actionable insights that guide strategic planning decisions.
• Provide practical guidance and recommendations on development management and key planning projects.
• Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and consultants to deliver impactful planning initiatives.
• Transform complex planning and design challenges into clear, sustainable policies that benefit the community.
• Participate in cross-team projects and hands-on learning opportunities to grow your expertise and professional career.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• A degree or master’s qualification relevant to town planning or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of urban planning, regeneration, and how planning shapes major city environments.
• Awareness of equality, inclusion, and the challenges of social exclusion in an inner-London context.
• Experience or understanding of planning in an urban setting and the legislative frameworks that guide it.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• A proactive approach to achieving results, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work.
• Flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace new ideas, learning opportunities, and positive change.

Why Southwark?

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Additional details

Full Time, 36 hours per week. This is a hybrid role, with time split between working from our offices and from home.

Salary range £38,637 - £44,937 per annum.

Employee benefits:

You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

• A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 27 days per year, increasing to 35 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
• Wellbeing programme
• HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups

Disability Confident (guaranteed interview) scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Recruitment timetable:

Closing date: 16/01/2026 at 23:59*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date: to be confirmed (in-person at Tooley Street offices)

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Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification