Head of Planning & Building Control

Walsall Council; Walsall; On-site; GBP 84,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Council invites applications for Head of Planning and Building Control, to lead a dynamic service and steer planning across regeneration and growth projects. You will provide visible strategic leadership to ensure sustainable growth, safeguard quality and design, and deliver the We Are Walsall 2040 vision.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement and a track record of service improvement. This is a key role overseeing infrastructure, housing and town-centre development, with a

Responsibilities

• Lead planning service to support sustainable growth and regeneration.
• Drive performance improvements and transformation within the planning and building control teams.
• Promote commercialisation and growth of discretionary planning services (e.g., Planning Performance Agreements).
• Deliver the We Are Walsall 2040 vision through strategic leadership.

Job description

Head of Planning and Building Control - Ref: EE08326

Grade: SM1; Salary Range: £84,191- £95,535

We are pleased to be advertising this exciting role at an exceptional time to be joining Walsall's planning service. The Local Plan is set to go out to Regulation 19 in the autumn with a view to submission in December 2026, we have a number of very significant large-scale infrastructure and housing schemes going through the application process, we have a significant 4-year investment in planning enforcement, we are growing the Building Control Team and in Environmental Protection we making significant changes around air quality measures. There is an emphasis on redeveloping derelict sites within the Borough, and all of this is within the evolving policy context of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the emerging SDS.

The role is intrinsically linked to regeneration and culture programmes and this rare opportunity to lead planning through a time of significant transformation is one that would suit someone looking to develop their career further. Walsall is delivering an ambitious programme of regeneration, supported by substantial public and private investment, with major opportunities across town centre renewal, housing growth, employment development, transport connectivity and place-making. From the regeneration of Walsall Town Centre and the delivery of new residential communities, to the growth opportunities presented by the Walsall Growth Zone and emerging strategic transport infrastructure, planning is at the forefront of shaping the borough's future.

The service has an improvement agenda which is being led by team members. Building on the PAS review in 2025 which has seen many of the recommendations implemented, the Performance Taskforce is looking to make incremental improvements to deliver an excellent service and to deliver the best outcomes for our communities. We would welcome applications from people with a strong track record of service improvement and transformation together creative ideas on how to drive higher performance within the teams. In addition, we are looking to continue the commercialisation of relevant parts of the service and would be keen to hear from people who have experience of expanding a council's discretionary service offer for example by increasing the use of Planning Performance Agreements and growing the market share of the Building Control Team.

As Head of Planning, you will provide visible and influential leadership, ensuring the planning service supports sustainable growth, accelerates investment, safeguards quality and design, and contributes directly to the delivery of the We Are Walsall 2040 vision.

Could you be the person to take the service and vision for the Borough forward?

Closing Date: 7th October 2026

This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

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