Head of Strategic Planning and Transport | Full Time | Preston

Lancashire County Council; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Preston is seeking a Head of Strategic Planning and Transport to lead planning services and infrastructure projects. This pivotal role involves managing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring high-quality service delivery. The ideal candidate will have significant senior leadership experience and a strategic vision to innovate and improve services within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in strategic planning or transport.
• Strong track record of delivering high-quality services and major infrastructure programmes.
• Experience in leading, inspiring, and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and delivery of planning and transport services.
• Oversee service areas like Development Control and Sustainable Travel.
• Ensure alignment with the Council's long-term ambitions.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in strategic planning

Managing multi-disciplinary teams

Building relationships with stakeholders

Financial acumen

Commitment to innovation

Job description

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Job Description

Salary £75,420 - £82,480 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | County Hall, Preston / Hybrid

Lancashire County Council is seeking an exceptional leader to take on the role of Head of Strategic Planning and Transport. Working closely with the newly created Lancashire County Combined Authority, this is a unique and rare opportunity to shape the future of Lancashire's infrastructure, leading a high-performing team and delivering major capital programmes.

We have a number of high profile projects to deliver. These include Lancashire's £50m Levelling Up Programme and the recently approved A582, £90m Improvement project. Could you be the person to lead the delivery of these schemes?

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Environment and Planning, you will lead the strategic planning, coordination, and delivery of planning and transport services across the county. You will oversee four key service areas:

• Development Control
• Sustainable Travel
• Planning
• Infrastructure Delivery

You'll provide strategic leadership to continuously adapt and transform planning and transport services, ensuring they operate efficiently, innovatively, and in alignment with the Council's long-term ambitions.

About you:

We are looking for someone who can manage multi-disciplinary teams. A strategic thinker who operates well within an ever changing environment and can build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders. Ideally you will have:

• Significant senior leadership experience in strategic planning or transport.
• A strong track record of delivering high-quality services and major infrastructure programmes.
• Experience of leading, inspiring and motivating teams, colleagues and partners to drive services forward, achieving high quality delivery within reducing resources.
• Strategic vision, financial acumen, and a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience of managing complex stakeholders and relationships at a senior level

For a confidential call with the Director of Environment and Planning please contact Samantha Mason ([e-mail] ) to arrange this.

Interviews w/c 25th August and w/c 1st September 2025

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description & Person Specification