I find the most rewarding part of my role is helping deliver political commitments that make a real difference to people’s lives, particularly the need for more social housing and economic investment in deprived areas of the city.
Career journey and role
I began my career in local government at Leicester City Council as a Graduate Project Officer. I then progressed to Project Officer, Senior Project Officer, Assistant Project Manager, and now work as a Project Manager, overseeing housing led regeneration projects.
During these roles I also completed a Level 7 Town Planning Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Birmingham studying MSc in Urban and Regional Planning. On completion of this course, I successfully applied for chartership as a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
My work can involve anything from attending live construction sites to monitor progress to meeting with internal and external partners.
The biggest challenge when I first started my career was understanding the complexity of how local government works- the internal processes, governance structures, and political context and dynamics. It took time to learn how decisions are made, how to navigate competing priorities, and how to balance differing requirements against a highly political backdrop. I navigated this by asking questions, seeking guidance from senior colleagues, and taking the time to understand the wider organisation rather than just my own tasks. Building strong relationships across teams such as Highways, Transport, Property, as well as Planning helped me see how everything fits together. Over time, I became more confident in managing projects, engaging with stakeholders, and working within a political environment.
Value of working in local government
Working in local government offers flexibility, with varied work that balances site visits, partnership meetings and project delivery. There is also a high level of job security, supported by committed like-minded teams and long term capital allocations.
The role is fulfilling as you can see the direct impact of your work on local communities- from delivering much needed social housing to improving neighbourhoods and public spaces. It also allows you to influence wider societal issues, including inclusion, safety and sustainability. Above all, the values and principles of public services- fairness, community benefit and social value- make the work meaningful and align closely with my own motivations.
I’ve stayed in the public sector because the work has real purpose and delivers tangible benefits for local communities. Contributing to projects that improve neighbourhoods, deliver more social housing and support wider regeneration priorities is genuinely motivating and rewarding.
A common misconception is that working in Planning in local government is slow or overly bureaucratic. I’ve found it to be responsive, and transparent. The political element adds another element that makes the work interesting. Another is that the work is purely administrative, but it involves strategic thinking, problem solving and co-ordinating multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex regeneration projects.
Chartership
RTPI chartership offers clear professional benefits. It provides recognised credibility, strengthens career progression and demonstrates a commitment to high standards in planning practice. It also reinforces the values of working in the public interest, while giving access to specialist networks and ongoing CPD that support your long term development within your career.
I navigated the RTPI Chartership journey by breaking the process into clear steps, keeping my experience logs up to date and seeking feedback from chartered colleagues. Completing the chartership while working full-time meant I had to be organised and consistent, but steady progress made it more manageable. My advice for anyone starting out is to record evidence early, focus on what you contributed, link your examples to RTPI professional standards, and be reflective of your experience gained in your logs. Speak to mentors or peers who’ve been through it for guidance and tips.
Advice
Always record your experience- whether you plan to pursue RTPI chartership or not, record what you’re learning as you go. It strengthens your development and allows for critical reflection.
Build strong networks from the beginning- join networking groups and sites such as LinkedIn to build links for potential future opportunities in your career.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions- curiosity and gaining further understanding will broaden your knowledge and increase confidence.
I would tell my younger self to embrace more opportunities when they arise, even if they feel slightly out of my comfort zone. I’d also tell myself that careers in Planning and regeneration come about by staying open-minded, learning continuously, and building strong relationships within the field.