Planning Project Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK seeks a Planning Project Manager to lead projects enhancing health and wellbeing in communities. The ideal candidate will collaborate with partners, influence planning processes, and manage project budgets. A degree in a relevant field, project management experience, and strong communication skills are essential. The role offers competitive pay, hybrid working options, and a supportive work culture focused on community improvement.

Benefits

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme membership

Travel and health benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Training and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent knowledge and experience in a relevant area.
• Proven project and program management skills.
• Specialist knowledge of legislation, policy, and best practices in planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver projects across the Place Making function.
• Influence planning systems and implement policies for health and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners.

Skills

Planning and project management

Collaboration and networking

Creativity and innovation

Advanced communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant area

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for up to 12 months

At Suffolk County Council we're focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. How? By listening to our people learning from what they say and creating a culture of mutual respect, where everyone works together to achieve great things. As a Planning Project Manager in the Communities, Place Making and Inclusion team you'll be as keen to collaborate and build a bright future as we are. So, to make a positive impact, connect with us and connect with a fantastic career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As our Planning Project Manager, you'll play a key role in leading Public Health and Communities Housing and Planning responsibilities. You'll use your experience in planning or a similar setting to ensure health and wellbeing are central to planning responses for Suffolk communities. You'll work collaboratively with partners to maximise opportunities for improving health outcomes through better housing and represent Public Health interests in this field.

On a typical day, you might:

• lead and deliver projects and programmes across the Place Making function, focusing on housing, planning, and their links to health
• influence the planning system by developing and implementing plans, policies, and strategies to support health and wellbeing (e.g., providing evidence to planning applications, developing wellbeing policies, and Environmental Impact Assessment approaches)
• collaborate across the Suffolk system (including internal teams and external partners) to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through better housing
• problem-solve, horizon scan, and innovate to improve performance and transform service delivery, balancing stakeholder expectations
• work with contracts teams to commission and manage relevant contracts, agreements, and budgets (e.g., Warm Homes Healthy People grant).

You’ll be empowered to challenge and stretch the Council and wider Suffolk system, facilitate creative thinking, and contribute to the delivery of services and projects aligned with the Public Health and Communities Strategy.

You will need:

• a degree or equivalent knowledge and experience in a relevant area of work
• creativity, innovation, and openness to change
• effective management, networking, negotiating, and advocacy skills
• specialist knowledge of legislation, policy, and best practice in planning and housing
• proven project and or programme management skills and experience delivering successful outcomes in challenging environments
• advanced communication skills, able to convey complex information to varied audiences.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Public Health and Communities directorate works in partnership to build the foundations for Healthy People, Healthy Places, and Healthy Futures, creating safer, stronger, and more resilient communities in Suffolk. We're proud to promote health and wellbeing for all ages, tackle inequalities, and support those with the greatest need. Our collaborative spirit, diverse expertise, and commitment to making a difference bring us together. Office days are usually Wednesdays and Thursdays, and we practice hybrid working.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Andrew Cuthbertson (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can reach him by calling 01473 264825 or emailing [e-mail]

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Can you describe a time when you worked collaboratively across different teams or organisations to deliver a project or service? What was your approach, and what was your outcome?
2. With your experience in planning or a similar setting, give an example of how you have influenced stakeholders to adopt or adapt a new approach or policy. How did you go about it and what challenges did you overcome?
3. Provide an example of how you have used data, evidence, or local intelligence to inform a decision or shape a project.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [e-mail] or 03456 014412.

You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment page. If you're invited to the next stage, you'll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 21 January 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 (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).