Area Planning Manager

Lynx Employment Services Ltd; Park Central; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

On-site one day per week

Job summary

Lynx Employment Services Ltd in Shropshire is seeking an experienced Area Planning Manager on a six-month maternity cover contract. This is a senior-level post leading a Development Management team and advising senior management, elected members and stakeholders on complex planning matters.

Key responsibilities include leading the area team, directing Principal Planning Officers, handling large applications and ensuring timely, robust planning decisions while deputising for the Planning and

Qualifications

• Extensive development management experience.
• Proven leadership of senior planning staff.
• Experience with regulatory processes and hearings.
• Ability to operate in a political environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the area-based Development Management team.
• Directly supervise Principal Planning Officers and support junior staff.
• Oversee workloads, performance, and resources.
• Act as lead professional officer at Planning Committees.
• Assess and determine large and complex planning applications.
• Provide senior planning advice to Members, applicants and stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Planning and Development Services Manager when required.

Skills

Development management leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Regulatory processes

Education

Degree level or equivalent in development-related discipline

RTPI membership desirable

Tools

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Location: Shropshire / Hybrid Pay: £360 per day Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: 6-month maternity cover Start Date: 14 September 2026 End Date: 5 March 2027 Hybrid Working: Part-remote attendance varies depending on service requirements, averaging approximately one day per week on site

We are recruiting for an experienced Area Planning Manager to join a busy Development Management service on an initial six-month maternity cover contract.
This is a senior-level planning position, responsible for managing a professional planning team, overseeing complex development management work and providing authoritative planning advice to senior management, elected members and other key stakeholders.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing an area-based Development Management team
• Directly managing Principal Planning Officers and providing wider leadership to Planning Officers and Assistant Planning Officers
• Managing team performance, workloads and resources
• Acting as the lead professional officer at Planning Committees
• Leading the assessment and determination of large and complex planning applications
• Providing senior professional planning advice to Members, applicants and stakeholders
• Supporting and deputising for the Planning and Development Services Manager
• Ensuring robust, timely and consistent planning decisions
• Providing professional planning advice on corporate and strategic development projects
• Overseeing applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts and associated legislation
• Preparing and presenting reports and attending committees, public inquiries, court hearings, site visits and other meetings as required

About You

This is a senior appointment and candidates will need substantial Development Management and leadership experience. Essential experience includes:

Extensive experience of development management and associated regulatory processes

Proven experience leading and managing teams of professional staff at a senior level

Significant experience in a senior professional or managerial planning role

Experience managing performance and quality assurance

Strong experience engaging and negotiating with planning professionals, agents and stakeholders

Ability to operate confidently and sensitively within a political environment

Strong leadership, decision-making and people-management skills

Qualifications

Candidates should be educated to degree level or equivalent in a development-related discipline, hold an appropriate professional qualification, or have relevant training and experience providing an equivalent level of competence.

RTPI membership or membership of an equivalent recognised professional body is desirable.

Additional Requirements

You will need:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong report-writing and presentation skills
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle for business use
• Flexibility to work from home and attend the primary work base or other locations when required

This would be an excellent opportunity for an experienced Area Planning Manager, Development Management Manager, Principal Planning Manager or senior Development Management professional looking for a well-paid interim assignment.