Chief Planner & Head of Planning (Relocation Support)

Bristol City Council; West of England; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Market supplement up to 15%

Job summary

Bristol City Council is seeking an outstanding planning leader to become Chief Planner and Head of Planning Service. You will drive strategic direction, oversee Planning Service functions, and collaborate across the organisation to deliver housing, infrastructure and inclusive growth for Bristol and the wider region.

The role requires a proven ability to operate at corporate and professional levels, modernise the service, and deliver high-quality outcomes for communities.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within planning or a related place-shaping discipline.
• Strong technical and professional credibility.
• Experience of leading organisational change, service improvement and transformation.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and high performance.
• Experience of working effectively with elected members, communities, built environment practitioners, investors and developers and partner organisations.
• Experience of working collaboratively across a large and complex organisation, building productive relationships and using planning as an enabler of wider organisational objectives.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to build trust across organisational boundaries.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with a relentless focus on delivery and outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Bristol's Planning Service, overseeing Development Management, Planning Policy, Building Control, Consultees and Planning Enforcement.
• Lead the service at a pivotal moment for Bristol and the wider region, collaborating with neighbouring authorities and the Mayoral Combined Authority.
• Shape the next Local Plan and ensure it aligns with housing delivery, infrastructure and growth objectives.
• Drive transformation in systems, processes and ways of working to improve performance and customer experience.
• Lead beyond the planning profession, building relationships across services and external partners to enable delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Collaborative leadership

Delivery focus

Education

Planning qualification

Job description

Bristol City Council is seeking an outstanding planning leader to become Chief Planner and Head of Planning Service. You will drive strategic direction, oversee Planning Service functions, and collaborate across the organisation to deliver housing, infrastructure and inclusive growth for Bristol and the wider region.

The role requires a proven ability to operate at corporate and professional levels, modernise the service, and deliver high-quality outcomes for communities.