Area Head of Planning

Vistry Group; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction and development company in Cheltenham is seeking an Area Head of Planning to manage and direct planning activities within the West Area Team. The ideal candidate will have extensive planning expertise, a strong record in securing permissions, and leadership experience in managing planning teams. This role offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including a company car and additional leave.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary

Annual bonus

Company car or travel allowance

Up to 39 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Enhanced parental leave

Competitive pension scheme

Share incentive schemes

Qualifications

• Extensive planning expertise with a proven track record of securing planning permissions for large-scale, residential-led developments.
• Leadership and team management experience, including coaching and performance monitoring.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to prepare robust planning appraisals.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the planning activities of the West Area Team.
• Monitor and review the annual Budget and cash flow.
• Lead a team of Planners to secure planning permissions across strategic opportunities.

Skills

Planning expertise

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Organizational skills

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an Area Head of Planning to join our Strategic Land & Major Projects (SL&MP) Team within Vistry Group, covering the West Area based at our Cheltenham office. As our Area Head of Planning, you will be responsible for directing and managing the planning activities of the West Area Team to ensure the effective appraisal, promotion, and delivery of SL&MP assets to enable profitable development of the Company’s business in accordance with the strategy set out by the SL&MP Board.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the West Area Planning Team monitors and reviews the annual Budget and monthly cash flow profile and reports regularly to the Strategic Planning Director on progress.
• Ensure that planning appraisals and strategies put forward in support of new land bids are robust and that proposed contractual terms are fit for purpose in light of the planning context.
• Establish a programme for promoting, reviewing and monitoring each West Area option site through the planning process and delivery into the Regional business/third party disposal with the appropriate consents.
• Engage with the Strategic Land and Planning Teams to ensure that all relevant milestones and triggers are met with regard to planning strategies and formal contractual obligations.
• Ensure that all Vistry internal procedures for securing and promoting sites are adhered to.
• Establish clear lines of regular reporting to ensure appropriate engagement with other internal/Regional teams to enable them to plan housing development in accordance with targets set.
• Report regularly to the Strategic Planning Director on progress of priority sites and other sites within the Strategic Land Bank.
• Ensure all paperwork and reporting is produced accurately and as required by the Company.
• Develop and maintain regular contacts with planning officers and stakeholders within the area of operation.
• Discuss with Local Planning Authorities at a senior level the future potential of land for development.
• Monitor key planning policy/guidance developments that impact on the Company’s operations and communicate these effectively to internal departments.
• Lead a team of Planners to secure planning permission across strategic, residential‑led opportunities within the SL&MP Land Bank.

About Vistry

We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award‑winning employer means we live each day through our ethos – doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. We shape all we do; we empower ourselves to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership‑led way, and you'll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five‑star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.

Qualifications

• Extensive planning expertise with a proven track record of securing planning permissions for large‑scale, residential‑led developments.
• Leadership and team management experience, including coaching, performance monitoring, and driving professional development within planning teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to prepare robust planning appraisals and strategies that align with contractual and business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with senior planning officers, local authorities, and industry bodies.
• In‑depth knowledge of planning policy and regulatory frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply changes to business operations effectively.
• Exceptional organisational and reporting abilities, ensuring accurate documentation, clear communication, and timely delivery of strategic projects.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary and annual bonus.
• Company car, car allowance or travel allowance.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees.
• Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to up to 39 days with service.
• 2 volunteering days per annum.
• Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice.
• Life assurance at 4× your annual salary.
• Share save and share incentive schemes.
• Employee rewards portal with many more benefits.

What we expect

• Behave in line with our company values – Integrity, Caring and Quality.