Head of Planning

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Hull and East Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Triumph Consultants Ltd seeks an experienced Head of Planning to lead a multi-disciplinary planning function in a major UK local authority. You will shape policy, drive performance and champion sustainable development, deputising for the Assistant Director of Economic Development & Regeneration.

You will oversee planning, enforcement, flood risk, urban design, building control and policy, managing a £3.2m budget and engaging with regional partners to deliver regeneration and growth.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification plus a postgraduate qualification in Town & Country Planning (or equivalent).
• Full membership of the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute).
• Extensive senior-level experience leading Planning, Development Management or related urban development functions.
• Proven leadership of large, diverse teams and experience managing significant financial, people and operational resources.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability and decision-making skills within complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Experience working closely with elected members, Government officials or national planning bodies.
• Knowledge of heritage, conservation, archaeology and urban design within a planning context.
• Experience delivering major regeneration programmes or large-scale development negotiations.
• Familiarity with CAPS Uniform or similar planning application management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across all Planning service areas, ensuring statutory functions are delivered effectively, transparently and in line with national legislation.
• Lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams (c.60–70 staff), setting clear priorities, performance standards and service delivery plans.
• Oversee Development Management decision-making, including high-level delegated authority, ensuring robust professional advice informs Planning Committee decisions.
• Shape and deliver the Local Plan and associated policy frameworks, ensuring alignment with wider regeneration, housing, transport and environmental objectives.
• Represent the organisation at regional and national forums, influencing external policy and promoting the city’s planning and regeneration agenda.
• Manage significant budgets (c.£3.2m) and fee-income targets, securing external funding and ensuring value for money across programmes and commissioned work.
• Lead high-level negotiations with senior public/private stakeholders to secure development opportunities, investment and strategic outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement, service reconfiguration and innovation to maintain a high-performing, customer-focused planning service.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People leadership

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Politically aware

Elected member liaison

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Town & Country Planning

Tools

CAPS Uniform

Job description

Working Pattern: Monday–Friday, 37 hours

Hybrid Working: Some on-site presence required; flexible remote working available

The Role

A high-profile interim opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Planning to lead a complex, multi-disciplinary Planning function within a major UK local authority. This role oversees Development Management, Planning Enforcement, Flood Risk, Urban Design & Conservation, Building Control, Archaeology and Planning Policy, ensuring the delivery of a modern, high-performing planning service that supports sustainable growth, regeneration and community connectivity.

You will act as the organisation’s strategic planning lead, shaping policy, driving performance, influencing national and regional partners, and championing sustainable development across the city. The post also deputises for the Assistant Director of Economic Development & Regeneration.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across all Planning service areas, ensuring statutory functions are delivered effectively, transparently and in line with national legislation.
• Lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams (c.60–70 staff), setting clear priorities, performance standards and service delivery plans.
• Oversee Development Management decision-making, including high-level delegated authority, ensuring robust professional advice informs Planning Committee decisions.
• Shape and deliver the Local Plan and associated policy frameworks, ensuring alignment with wider regeneration, housing, transport and environmental objectives.
• Represent the organisation at regional and national forums, influencing external policy and promoting the city’s planning and regeneration agenda.
• Manage significant budgets (c.£3.2m) and fee-income targets, securing external funding and ensuring value for money across programmes and commissioned work.
• Lead high-level negotiations with senior public/private stakeholders to secure development opportunities, investment and strategic outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement, service reconfiguration and innovation to maintain a high-performing, customer-focused planning service.

You Will Need (Essential Requirements)

• Degree-level qualification plus a postgraduate qualification in Town & Country Planning (or equivalent).
• Full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Extensive senior-level experience leading Planning, Development Management or related urban development functions.
• Proven leadership of large, diverse teams and experience managing significant financial, people and operational resources.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability and decision-making skills within complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Experience working closely with elected members, Government officials or national planning bodies.
• Knowledge of heritage, conservation, archaeology and urban design within a planning context.
• Experience delivering major regeneration programmes or large-scale development negotiations.
• Familiarity with CAPS Uniform or similar planning application management systems.

Job Ref: 5306106

Anticipated Length of Assignment:Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.