Planning Development Manager

Braintree District Council; Braintree; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working (home/office)

Local government pension scheme

Learning and development for all staff

Employee recognition schemes

Wellbeing programmes and discountedgym

Job summary

Braintree District Council is seeking a Planning Development Manager to lead the Development Management Service in a growing Essex district. You will shape growth, manage service planning, performance, budgets and resources, and ensure statutory targets are met while developing entrepreneurial approaches to fee income.

You will work with the Head of Planning to deliver well-designed new homes, jobs and infrastructure, lead a skilled team, and strengthen partnerships with councillors,

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in planning and development management.
• Strong leadership and staff development capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage complex, public-facing work with elected members and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Development Management Service team and resources.
• Drive strategy, service improvement and delivery of statutory targets.
• Oversee budgets, fee income, and performance against corporate priorities.
• Build influential relationships with councillors, stakeholders and communities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in planning or related field

Job description

Are you ready to lead the development management service and shape sustainable growth across a thriving Essex district? Braintree District Council has an exciting Planning Development Manager opportunity!

Location: Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB

Salary: £67,593 to £73,794 per annum

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

About Us:

Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community.

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

Planning Development Manager - The Role:

Working collaboratively with the Head of Planning, you will lead the delivery and continuous improvement of the Development Management Service. You will be responsible for service planning, performance, budgets and resources, ensuring statutory targets and legislative requirements are met while developing an entrepreneurial approach that makes effective use of fee income and capacity.

As a district of significant growth which is set to continue over the coming years, we are embracing the challenge to deliver well-designed new homes, create jobs and improve and develop infrastructure for the benefit of existing and new communities.

The Council has an emerging Local Plan which sets out an ambitious growth agenda for the District with over 19,000 new homes planned over the next 15 years, including strategic scale development at Kelvedon based on Garden City principles.

This role offers the opportunity to influence growth and place-making across the district while leading a broad, skilled service through continued improvement. You will have a visible role in shaping service standards, strengthening partnerships and delivering outcomes that matter to residents, businesses and communities.

Planning Development Manager - Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Development Management Service team including Area Managers, Admin and Validation Team Leader, Enforcement Team Leader, Landscape Team Leader, and Principal Planners
• Implement strategy, develop the service and prepare business plans in collaboration with the Head of Planning
• Deliver an accessible and inclusive service that meets statutory targets, legislation and corporate priorities
• Ensure planning decisions are transparent, consistent and robust through clear communication of policy
• Oversee Section 106 negotiations and viability work on major applications
• Manage budgets, generate fee income and make efficient use of resources
• Inspire, lead and direct a skilled and motivated workforce committed to excellence and innovation
• Develop and maintain influential relationships with councillors, colleagues, service users and stakeholders

Planning Development Manager - You:

• You will bring substantial development management expertise, sound judgement and the credibility to lead a complex public-facing service
• You will be comfortable operating in a political environment, advising senior stakeholders and elected members, and balancing statutory responsibilities with customer needs and organisational priorities
• You will be qualified with an appropriate degree relevant to the post and/or equivalent proven experience and knowledge in your career to date, along with an appropriate professional qualification
• You also need to have an ongoing commitment to CPD relevant to the role
• You will possess extensive knowledge of planning legislation, managing planning applications and ideally experience of working within Development Management
• You will have the ability to lead and inspire, influence, negotiate and manage conflict with your strong interpersonal skills
• You should have a track record of working with senior management and ideally elected Members and partners
• You will have a strong record of leading, motivating and developing teams

Benefits:

• Flexible working
• Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all employees
• Employee recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership

Closing Date: 15th November 2026