Area Planning Manager

Marks Consulting Partners Limited; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Marks Consulting Partners are recruiting for an Area Planning Manager in Shropshire on a 6 month maternity cover contract. The role offers £500 per day (Umbrella) with a part remote arrangement, typically about one day a week working from home.

You will manage an area-based caseload, present applications to planning committee, provide day-to-day line management to planners, deputise for the manager, and lead professional planning advice on strategic projects.

Qualifications

• Senior development management experience in a local authority.
• Led complex, high‑profile planning applications to committee.
• Confident presenting at planning committee and inquiries.
• Experience supervising a team of planning professionals.
• Own vehicle for site visits; mileage reimbursed.
• Relevant planning qualifications for a senior role.

Responsibilities

• Managing an area based caseload of planning and associated applications under the Town and Country Planning Act, including large and complex schemes.
• Acting as lead officer presenting applications to planning committee, plus attending public inquiries, court hearings and site visits as required.
• Providing day to day line management and support to a team of planning and business support officers.
• Deputising for the Planning and Development Services Manager as needed.
• Offering lead professional planning advice on corporate and strategic development projects.
• Acting as senior officer point of contact for Members, applicants and other stakeholders, and maintaining relationships with external planning agents and advisors.

Skills

Senior planning experience

Team leadership

Public speaking

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Planning qualifications

Job description

Marks Consulting Partners are currently recruiting for an Area Planning Manager to work with one of our local authority clients in Shropshire.

This is a 6 month contract covering maternity leave, paying 500 per day (Umbrella). The role is part remote; the split varies week to week so some flexibility is needed, though it typically averages to around one day a week working from home.

What you will be doing:

• Managing an area based caseload of planning and associated applications under the Town and Country Planning Act, including large and complex schemes
• Acting as lead officer presenting applications to planning committee, plus attending public inquiries, court hearings and site visits as required
• Providing day to day line management and support to a team of planning and business support officers
• Deputising for the Planning and Development Services Manager as needed
• Offering lead professional planning advice on corporate and strategic development projects
• Acting as senior officer point of contact for Members, applicants and other stakeholders, and maintaining relationships with external planning agents and advisors

What you will need:

• Senior level development management experience gained within a local authority planning environment
• A track record of leading complex, high profile planning applications through to committee decision
• Confidence presenting at planning committee and representing the authority at appeals or public inquiries
• Experience managing or supervising a team of planning professionals
• Own vehicle for site visits, with mileage reimbursed
• Relevant planning qualifications appropriate to a senior planning role

Marks Consulting Partners specialise in the recruitment of professionals across Property Services, Housing Services, General Practice, Town Planning, Regeneration & Development, and Building Consultancy, working with housing associations, local authorities, and related public sector organisations.