Head of Place Policy and Strategy

Local Government Chronicle; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Woking is seeking a Head of Place Policy and Strategy to lead the Environment and Planning team. This senior role involves championing Place Policy, managing strategic partnerships, and ensuring smooth transitions during local government changes. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, and experience in managing sizable teams. The position provides a salary of £81,796 per annum along with excellent benefits including generous leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, rising to 31 days

Generous pension scheme

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level in an appropriate discipline or equivalent.
• Experience managing large, flexible teams and contracts.
• Proven ability to collaborate with partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead disaggregation and transfer of services.
• Champion Place Policy and Strategy across the Council.
• Support Director in preparing for Local Government Reorganisation.

Skills

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management

Knowledge of legislation

Financial management

Education

Degree level in an appropriate discipline

Job description

Overview

Head of Place Policy and Strategy

We are hiring a new Head of Place Policy and Strategy to join our Environment and Planning team. This is a senior role within the wider Place Directorate which is expected to operate at the highest levels politically, identify strategic priorities (short, medium and long term) and update existing strategies/policies and develop new ones where the need arises. This permanent role has a starting salary of £81,796 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.

This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

The team is based at Victoria Gate with flexibility for remote working and expected regular travel across Surrey for meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the disaggregation and transfer of services to either the new Surrey Unitaries or the Strategic Authority as appropriate and support others to do the same.
• Champion Place Policy and Strategy across the County Council and with partners and stakeholders to ensure that the Council's strategic objectives are delivered, with the department recognised as key to delivery.
• Provide the lead role for strategic partnerships and embedding of Place policy, working with Directors and Assistant Directors both internally and externally.
• Support the Director in preparing for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the potential transition to a shadow strategic authority or unitary.
• Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement, leading multidisciplinary teams as required and collaborating with other Council departments on specific projects and initiatives.

About The Team

The wider Environment and Planning Service is responsible for leading on the development and coordination of Place Policy and Strategy, covering climate change, nature recovery, digital, transport connectivity and growth. It also commissions place-based infrastructure projects and investments and drives the future vision for Surrey as a thriving place for residents, communities and businesses.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer‘s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub with resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About The Role

In this role you will be expected to play a key part in the overall management and delivery of the Environment and Planning Division, supporting the Director in delivering the services and ensuring the smooth transition through LGR. You will champion Place Policy and Strategy across the County Council and with partners and stakeholders to ensure that the Council's strategic objectives are delivered with the department recognised as key to delivery.

You will provide the lead role for strategic partnerships and embedding of Place policy as appropriate, working with Directors and Assistant Directors, and provide a leading role in supporting the Director in preparing for LGR and the potential transition to a shadow strategic authority or unitary.

A role at this level will encourage learning, development and retention through reviewing learning offers and professional status, and by leading a modern and effective continuous improvement culture. The Head of Place Policy and Strategy will work with other Council departments as required on specific projects, initiatives and strategies, leading multi-disciplinary teams as required.

Shortlisting Criteria

• Qualified to degree level in an appropriate discipline or equivalent professional qualification with relevant experience.
• Authoritative knowledge of the legislation, regulations and technical requirements relevant to the role.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing large, flexible teams and contracts in a matrix-management environment.
• Experience managing complex financial budgets and resource allocation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners/professionals.

How To Apply

To apply, you will be asked to upload a copy of your CV and to respond to the four following application questions:

• What are your motivations for applying for this role?
• Please tell us about your experience of Place Policy and Strategy with examples.
• Describe a time when you used your stakeholder management and negotiation skills to overcome a problem.
• Please tell us about a time you constructively challenged existing practice to bring about effective change.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills, or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Carolyn McKenzie, Director of Environment and Planning by email or on MS Teams.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 07/10/2025 with interviews to follow.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer and guarantee an interview if you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria. We value inclusion and welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

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Surrey County Council
Woking, UK
Permanent
Published on 24 Sep 2025

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