Planning Lead for Development Management

The Planner; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

wellbeing support

Private health care

EV salary sacrifice

Volunteer days

Flexible and hybrid working

Learning & development

Job summary

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are inviting applications for a Planning Lead for Development Management (Strategic and Professional Lead for Development Management). You will be at the heart of our growth and placemaking agenda, guiding teams and partners to deliver high‑quality places for residents and investors.

Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, you will drive strategies for complex schemes, champion sustainable placemaking, and lead critical representations at appeals to

Qualifications

• Five years’ post‑qualification experience and eligibility for membership of an appropriate professional body.
• Sound knowledge of planning legislation, the NPPF and local policies.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative and pragmatic approach to delivering 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 of the councils at appeals or major planning proceedings to safeguard robust decisions.

Skills

Planning leadership

Communication skills

Placemaker design

Mentoring staff

Policy knowledge

Job description

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 values and 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.

Employee 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 Employee Benefits page and view ‘The best things about working for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils' to find out what our employees say about working for us.

Our working culture

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.

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.