Head of Planning

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional planning authority is seeking a Head of Planning to lead strategic planning functions and engage with stakeholders to drive development projects across the East Midlands. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience and qualifications, including MRTPI membership, and will play a critical role in policy development and team leadership. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, based in Chesterfield.

Qualifications

• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Experience managing planning services effectively.
• Ability to translate policy into successful delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning functions of the authority.
• Provide guidance to the Mayor and Senior Leadership Team.
• Engage with senior stakeholders and contribute to policy development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Communication skills

Budget management

Education

Degree in Planning or related field

Job description

Overview

Head of Planning

Salary: Circa £69k
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Ref: OT866

Your chance to play a crucial role in the planning and delivery of co-ordinated development and infrastructure provision across the region.

Welcome to EMCCA

EMCCA is the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority. The East Midlands is a great region. But it deserves to be better. Better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity and inclusive growth. Here in EMCCA we have a clear vision for growth and there are huge opportunities for future placemaking and growth. This role will drive forward our ambitious plans to bring forward development and infrastructure projects across the region. This is an opportunity for an experienced planning professional to build a team and work with partners to harness EMCCA’s devolved powers. In collaboration with our local partners – our people and businesses - the role can help put the East Midlands on the map as a place to live, work and play.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands

As Head of Planning, you will lead on all Planning functions of the authority as well as our key Spatial Development Strategy. The role encompasses strategic planning and the need to engage with all stakeholders, as well as utilising your programme management skills to deliver on our ambitions for inclusive green growth.

Championing best practice and developing innovative solutions, you will be expected to deliver results by optimising service value and mitigating risk, providing advice and guidance to the authority as a whole and our partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership with responsibility for growing and leading the planning team with functions including the preparation of a Spatial Development Strategy for the region.
• Provision of specialist guidance and recommendations to the Mayor and Senior Leadership Team for all related planning matters.
• Engagement with a wide range of senior level stakeholders and partners, including Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and professional networks including Combined Authority networks of Planners to represent and advocate EMCCA interests.
• Key contributions to our policies, strategy development and implementation, including the Local Growth Plan, Local Transport Plan and other initiatives.
• The monitoring and review of significant plans and proposals across the region, providing appropriate commentary and recommendations to the SLT, Mayor and Board.
• Engagement with the planning application processes for developments of strategic significance, liaising with local planning authorities and stakeholders whilst establishing procedures as necessary.

Your profile

• A degree (or equivalent in experience) in Planning or a related subject and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Proven experience of managing planning services including policy, resource planning, performance management and effective and efficient delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to plan for regionally significant development, infrastructure and environmental initiatives, translating policy to successful delivery.
• A track record of providing strategic leadership and direction to teams, including consultants, with a focus on achieving organisational objectives and delivering results.
• Proven ability to manage significant budget responsibility.
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to present confidently to a wide range of audiences and build strong and productive relationships.

NB - this is a politically restricted post as designated under the LGHA and any subsequent amendment

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Closing date: 29th September 2025.

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.

Please note – at this time EMCCA cannot offer sponsorship.