Strategic Planning Lead

South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council are looking for a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our award-winning joint senior leadership team as Strategic Planning Lead. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive forward our joint planning ambitions, in collaboration with Plymouth City Council, and make a significant impact on our shared communities. This role gives you the opportunity to play critical role in shaping the future of our vibrant region with transformative projects and ambitious planning goals.

As Strategic Planning Lead, you will be at the forefront of executing our technical planning schemes, steering the direction of planning initiatives aligned to our shared vision for sustainable growth and development. You will lead the charge on major projects, including a multi-million-pound freeport and an ambitious capital delivery programme, ensuring successful implementation. Your role will involve close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate and harmonise planning efforts across the region.

We’re looking for a strategic thinker, who, through a sound understanding of the everchanging planning landscape, can take ownership of shaping and leading our new local plan. To be successful, you will build close relationships with our joint senior management team, our elected members across both South Hams and West Devon, and our key partners, with an aim to translate political ambitions into the best possible planning outcomes. You will be the councils’ lead planning expert and will guide us to successfully address the challenges our communities face, including housing affordability, employment, environmental constraints, and protecting our unique identity.

Your expertise will be crucial in shaping planning policies that promote economic development, environmental sustainability, and our communities’ well-being. You will ensure all planning activities meet the highest standards of service delivery, efficiency, and regulatory compliance, driving continuous improvement and innovation within the planning teams.

About you

Critical to success in this role will be extensive experience in a senior technical planning position, with a proven track record of managing large-scale projects. Your strong technical expertise in planning, coupled with strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, will enable you to navigate complex planning challenges effectively. Exceptional communication, creative means of collaboration and stakeholder engagement abilities are essential, as you will be working with a diverse range of partners to achieve our planning objectives. A deep understanding of planning policies, regulations, and best practice, along with a commitment to sustainable and community-focused planning, is fundamental to this role.

Why join us?

As part of an award-winning joint senior management team, you will work on ground-breaking initiatives. We are proud of our workforce, which is known for excellence and innovation, and you will play an active role in the development of teams in this context. Part of this will be your ongoing professional development opportunities and a supportive work environment, all while making a real difference to the residents of South Hams and West Devon.

If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the future success of South West Devon, we want to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion about these roles, please contact Helen Anderson (07534 602845) or Clare Connor (0161 408 0703) at Tile Hill.

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 24th July 2024

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.