Head of Planning Policy

Preston Partnership; Preston; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi time

Hybrid working

30 days annual leave

Family friendly policies

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

AVCs

Life assurance scheme

Professional fees paid

Discounted parking

Bus and rail fares

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Preston City Council is seeking a qualified MRTPI planning professional to lead the Planning Policy team within the Development and Housing Directorate. The Head of Planning Policy will advise officers, Members and stakeholders on policy matters and drive strategic planning initiatives.

You will provide effective leadership, foster partnership working, and manage a team through the Council's evolving local government reorganisation and major regeneration projects in Central Lancashire.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification with extensive post-qualification experience in planning.
• Candidates must be organised, self-motivated and able to work in a collaborative team.
• Experience supervising a policy/planning team is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership to the Planning Policy team.
• Act as principal advisor to officers, Members and stakeholders on planning policy matters.
• Lead and support strategic planning work within the Council and across partner authorities.
• Foster strong partnerships during ongoing Local Government Reorganisation and major regeneration projects.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Supervisory experience

Education

MRTPI qualification

Job description

Closing Date

23.59 hours BST on Sunday 11 October 2026

Reference

DEPP01001-2

HEAD OF PLANNING POLICY

Salary: £53,460 – £54,495 per annum - pay award pending

37 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Development and Housing Directorate

Preston is at an unprecedented stage in its development. With widespread public sector city centre regeneration projects underway, a new commercial quarter planned at Preston station and the ongoing implementation of the multi-award-winning City Living Strategy alongside the delivery of thousands of new homes and major infrastructure investment and delivery through the City Deal, Preston has developed a new confidence for positive change.

The Council is in the final stages of reviewing its Development Plan, working in partnership with South Ribble and Chorley Council’s on a single spatial strategy for Central Lancashire. However, looking ahead, the Council is about to embark on an exciting new journey through Local Government Reorganisation which will involve new partnership working on strategic planning within the larger unitary authority. This is an exciting role within the Council, at the heart of major transformation of the city.

The Head of Planning Policy will provide effective leadership to the Planning Policy team and will be the principal advisor to officers, Members and stakeholders on planning policy matters.

We are looking for someone who is MRTPI qualified with extensive post qualification experience in the planning profession, who can foster strong team and partnership working, and has supervisory experience.

You will be organised, self-motivated but have the ability to work as part of a highly collaborative team.

Benefits

• flexi time
• hybrid working following probation
• a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• family friendly policies
• access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• AVC’s
• life assurance scheme
• payment of professional fees
• discounted parking
• bus and rail fares
• a cycle to work scheme

International Sponsorship

this role is not open to International Sponsorship.