Head of Planning Policy & Environment

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Lifestyle discounts

Flexible working

Inclusive Employee Networks

Employee Assistance Programme

Training courses

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Planning Service as Head of Planning Policy & Environment. You will shape policy across planning, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage, working closely with senior leaders and elected Members.

This strategic role requires extensive knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to build partnerships with neighbours and external partners.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage.
• Strong understanding of economic growth, regeneration and place-making.
• Expertise in national and regional planning policy and legislative change.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of leading high-performing planning services.
• Experience of working within a political environment and advising elected members and senior stakeholders.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, organisational change and multidisciplinary teams.
• A relevant planning qualification and membership of RTPI.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production, review and implementation of planning policy, procedures and guidance.
• Provide authoritative planning policy advice to Members, senior officers and stakeholders.
• Drive engagement with residents, communities and partners on key planning matters.
• Build effective partnerships with neighbouring authorities and external organisations.
• Support and guide neighbourhood planning initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing, customer-focused service.
• Manage service budgets and identify income generation opportunities.
• Develop, motivate and inspire a diverse professional team.
• Deliver performance improvements and continuous service development.
• Promote excellent customer service and effective complaint resolution.

Skills

Planning policy

Environmental policy

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Budget management

Multidisciplinary teams

Policy implementation

Strategic thinking

Education

Planning qualification

RTPI membership

Job description

Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, communities and external partners, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Coventry's future, ensuring that growth is sustainable, inclusive and aligned with the Council's ambitions. You will also deputise for the Strategic Lead for Planning when required.

As Head of Planning Policy & Environment, you will:

• Lead the production, review and implementation of planning policy, procedures and guidance.
• Provide authoritative planning policy advice to Members, senior officers and stakeholders.
• Drive engagement with residents, communities and partners on key planning matters.
• Build effective partnerships with neighbouring authorities and external organisations.
• Support and guide neighbourhood planning initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing, customer-focused service.
• Manage service budgets and identify income generation opportunities.
• Develop, motivate and inspire a diverse professional team.
• Deliver performance improvements and continuous service development.
• Promote excellent customer service and effective complaint resolution.

One Coventry Values

• Open and fair
• Nurturing and developing
• Engaging and empowering
• Creating and innovating
• Owning and being accountable
• Valuing and respecting diversity and inclusion

We offer the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the UK's most ambitious cities while working alongside talented colleagues dedicated to delivering outstanding services for residents.

Key Relationships

You will work closely with: Internal stakeholders: Elected Members, Strategic Lead for Planning, Planning Management Team, senior officers and colleagues across the Council. External stakeholders: Residents, local communities, MPs, developers, investors, neighbouring authorities, professional bodies and external partners.

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who can inspire confidence and deliver results in a complex environment.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage.
• Strong understanding of economic growth, regeneration and place-making.
• Expertise in national and regional planning policy and legislative change.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of leading high-performing planning services.
• Experience of working within a political environment and advising elected members and senior stakeholders.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, organisational change and multidisciplinary teams.
• A relevant planning qualification and membership of an appropriate professional body, such as the RTPI.

Coventry is a city with ambition. As we continue to deliver sustainable growth, regeneration and high-quality place-making, we are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Planning Service as Head of Planning Policy & Environment. This is a key strategic role leading planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage functions across the city.

Employment Information

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Coventry City Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

We especially welcome applicants from minority ethnic/global majority, LGBT+, those with a disability, and neurodiverse backgrounds - your voice can help shape a fairer future for our residents.

What we offer?

• Competitive salary with incremental progression and salary matching
• Generous annual leave starting at 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays) with option to purchase more and rising to 33 days following 5 years service.
• Generous local government pension scheme to help plan for your future
• Lifestyle discounts across a wide range of activities and retailers
• Flexible working arrangements to support your personal and professional needs
• Inclusive Employee Networks: EmbRace, Pride, Disability, Young people, and Women
• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support
• Certified training courses to help you grow and thrive

Explore the full range of benefits at #MyRewards - Coventry City Council

Find out more here - https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies