Planning Lead for Development Management

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

LGPS pension

Wellbeing support

Private health care

EV salary sacrifice

Volunteer days

Flexible/hybrid working

Learning & development

Job summary

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are seeking a Planning Lead for Development Management to drive growth and high-quality placemaking. Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, you will guide design excellence, manage complex proposals, and support inclusive growth with a strong focus on community engagement.

The role requires senior planning experience, a commitment to professional development, and a flexible approach to hybrid working and organisational values. Closing date soon.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years post-qualification experience and eligibility for membership of a professional body.
• Sound knowledge of planning legislation, the NPPF, and local policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative and pragmatic approach to outcomes with communities at the forefront.
• Commitment to mentoring staff and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for complex development proposals.
• Champion exemplary design and placemaking.
• Lead representation at appeals or major planning proceedings.
• Deliver the Service Plan and project plans.
• Work with communities to support sustainable growth.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Mentor and develop team members.

Skills

5+ years exp

Planning law knowledge

Exemplary communication

Mentoring staff

Values & behaviours

Education

Professional body eligibility

Job description

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £55,224 - £65,092 plus £3,661.32 market forces supplement per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

Join our team

As Planning Lead for Development Management, known internally as the Strategic and Professional Lead for Development Management, you will work at the centre of the councils’ growth and placemaking agenda. If you share our valuesand you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

We relish a challenge and we believe the significant expectations placed on us to deliver new homes and business is also an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy which will also shape the future of the districts.

Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, your role will place you at the centre of this agenda, helping to supportinclusive growth, climate resilience, our environmental ambitions and the creation of high-quality places for communities.

Responsibilities will include:

• developing strategies for complex development proposals
• championing exemplary design and placemaking
• leading and managing the representation of the councils at appeal or in major and complex planning proceedings to safeguard robust decision making, which meets the high standards we expect
• production and delivery of the Service Plan and associated business, service improvement and project plans
• working with and supporting our communities to play their part in delivering the councils’ vision for sustainable growth
• building strong and productive relationships with internal teams and external partners
• supporting and mentoring team members with continuous professional development.

About you

We are looking for a professional leaderwho will champion exemplary design and sustainable placemaking.

Key skills and experience:

• at least five years’ post‑qualification experience and eligibility for membership of an appropriate professional body
• sound knowledge of planning legislation, the NPPF and local and community policies
• exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• a creative and pragmatic approach to delivering the best outcomes possible with people and local communities at the forefront of these outcomes
• a commitment to mentoring and supporting staff to be the best they can be at all times
• a commitment to our values and behaviours and our culture of continuous improvement.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care Options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

For more information, visit ourEmployee Benefits page.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

For an informal discussion about this role, please contactPhilip Isbellby either calling07740 179172 or emailing:[e-mail]

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date: 5 pm, 24 November 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.