Area Planning Manager

Matchtech; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking an experienced Area Planning Manager for a client in the highways sector in the West Midlands, on a contract basis. You will lead development management, manage teams, and represent the service at committees.

The role covers reporting, governance, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of council priorities with autonomy. The ideal candidate has strong development management experience and proven leadership in senior planning roles.

Qualifications

• Strong development management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Town & Country Planning legislation and planning policy.
• Experience handling major planning applications.
• Proficiency in preparing reports and recommendations for planning decisions.
• Leadership skills with team management and staff development.
• Experience presenting reports and evidence at committees.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience as a senior officer with strategic capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Determining large and complex planning applications.
• Providing professional planning advice on strategic development projects.
• Preparing reports and recommendations for planning decisions.
• Directly managing Principal Planning Officers and overseeing wider planning teams.
• Conducting performance management, appraisals, mentoring, and staff development.
• Deputising for the Planning & Development Services Manager.
• Leading as the principal officer at planning committees.
• Presenting reports and evidence at committees, hearings, inquiries, and meetings.
• Acting as the senior planning contact for elected members, applicants, and stakeholders.
• Building relationships with councillors, developers, planning agents, and consultees.
• Collaborating with internal departments and external partners.
• Handling complaints, MP enquiries, and other regulatory responses.
• Operating as a senior officer with autonomy.
• Leading projects and service improvements.
• Supporting the delivery of council priorities and corporate development projects.
• Ensuring governance, compliance, and service performance standards are met.

Skills

Development management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Reporting and presenting

Job description

Our client, a leader in the highways sector, is seeking an accomplished Area Planning Manager to join their team on a contract basis.

Key Responsibilities

Development Management

• Determining large and complex planning applications
• Providing professional planning advice on strategic development projects
• Preparing reports and recommendations for planning decisions

Leadership & Management

• Directly managing Principal Planning Officers and overseeing wider planning teams
• Conducting performance management, appraisals, mentoring, and staff development
• Deputising for the Planning & Development Services Manager

Committee & Public Representation

• Leading as the principal officer at planning committees
• Presenting reports and evidence at committees, hearings, inquiries, and meetings
• Acting as the senior planning contact for elected members, applicants, and stakeholders

Stakeholder Management

• Building relationships with councillors, developers, planning agents, and consultees
• Collaborating with internal departments and external partners
• Handling complaints, MP enquiries, and other regulatory responses

Strategic & Senior-Level Capability

• Operating as a senior officer with autonomy
• Leading projects and service improvements
• Supporting the delivery of council priorities and corporate development projects
• Ensuring governance, compliance, and service performance standards are met

Job Requirements

• Strong development management experience
• In-depth knowledge of Town & Country Planning legislation and planning policy
• Significant experience handling major planning applications
• Proficiency in preparing reports and recommendations for planning decisions
• Leadership skills with team management, mentoring, and staff development experience
• Experience presenting reports and evidence at committees
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Experience in operating as a senior officer with strategic capabilities

Ideal Candidate Summary

The ideal candidate would be an experienced Area Planning Manager, Development Management Manager, Principal Planning Officer, or Senior Planning Officer with local authority planning experience, team leadership, significant involvement in major planning applications, strong presentation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with councillors, developers, and senior stakeholders.