Service Director - Planning & Transport

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Generous Annual Leave

Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a senior leader to direct Planning & Transport, delivering high-quality services across the borough. You will shape the Local Plan, lead complex capital projects and drive sustainable growth while engaging with elected Members, regional partners and communities.

You will champion climate responsibilities, manage budgets and teams, and guide transformation across planning, transport and regulatory services in a fast-changing environment. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience in planning or transport.
• Track record of transformation in a complex organisation.
• Experience with elected Members and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic leadership and delivery of long-term plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for planning and transport services.
• Oversee Local Plan and policy frameworks.
• Manage capital programme and major projects.
• Represent the Council at regional and national levels.
• Drive organisational change and service modernisation.

Skills

Senior leadership

Planning & Transport

Stakeholder management

Capital projects

Regulatory knowledge

Policy development

Change management

Education

Professional qualification

Job description

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to shape the future of Gateshead’s places, leading the planning, transport and infrastructure services that make sustainable growth possible? Do you want to shape the future of Gateshead’s places, leading the planning, transport and infrastructure services that make sustainable growth possible? If that sounds like you, keep reading we might be the perfect match. These roles form part of a wider organisational redesign to ensure the Council is structured to deliver high-quality, efficient services for the people of Gateshead. This supports our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do and enabling everyone in our borough to thrive. At Gateshead Council, we pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward thinking approach to delivering high quality services and improving outcomes for our communities. We believe our employees are the driving force behind our Thrive agenda, and as a senior leader you will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of services across the borough. You will join a leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and integrity. You’ll have the freedom to influence policy, drive service transformation, and lead large, diverse services that directly contribute to a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Gateshead.

Supporting services that make a difference to our communities

Our Planning & Transport Service plays a critical role in shaping Gateshead’s future, enabling new homes, supporting economic growth, strengthening infrastructure, tackling climate change and creating safe, accessible places. From leading the Local Plan and development management to strategic transport planning, building control, engineering design, flooding and environmental specialisms, this service underpins how the borough grows, connects and thrives. As Service Director for our new Planning & Transport Service, you will provide strategic leadership across this wide-ranging portfolio at an exciting and pivotal time in Gateshead's transformation. You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective planning and transport services, enabling major projects, strengthening regional partnerships, and driving forward the Council's ambitions for sustainable development and regeneration, climate responsibility and long-term economic prosperity. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the transformation of Planning & Transport services at a time of significant change and unprecedented regeneration and growth across Gateshead. We are looking for an inspiring and experienced senior leader with a proven track record of delivering transformation and organisational change. You will bring substantial experience of working with elected Members and political leadership, alongside strong strategic planning expertise and the ability to successfully lead service improvement and modernisation in a complex environment.

What You Will Get To Do

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Council and the Economy, Innovation & Growth Group, ensuring strong alignment with the Thrive agenda.
• Work across Council services and contribute to wider organisational priorities as part of the senior leadership team.
• Lead the development and delivery of statutory and non‑statutory planning, transport and climate change services across the borough.
• Provide senior leadership for the Local Plan and associated policy frameworks, ensuring up‑to‑date, evidence‑based strategies.
• Oversee strategic transport policy, engineering design, network management and the Council's Lead Local Flood Authority responsibilities.
• Lead major projects and initiatives that support housing delivery, infrastructure investment and economic growth.
• Represent Gateshead at regional and national levels on planning, transport and climate matters, influencing policy and securing investment.
• Build effective partnerships with developers, statutory agencies, regional bodies and wider stakeholders to deliver shared priorities.
• Lead and manage delivery of the Council's capital programme for planning, transport and related infrastructure, including significant investment.
• Lead business continuity, risk management, policy development and performance frameworks for all service areas.
• Lead emergency planning arrangements across planning, transport and regulatory services.
• Provide strategic advice and high-quality reports to Members, portfolio holders, committees and boards.
• Manage employees, budgets, assets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and high levels of workforce engagement.
• Lead organisational and cultural change, ensuring services remain sustainable, future-focused and responsive to new challenges.
• Respond to media enquiries and promote the work of the service in partnership with the Communications Team.

What You Will Bring

• A relevant professional qualification or extensive senior leadership experience at an equivalent level.
• Extensive senior‑level experience within planning, transport, environmental services or related disciplines.
• A successful track record of leading transformation, organisational change and service improvement within a complex organisation.
• Significant experience of working with elected Members, political leadership, senior stakeholders, developers and strategic partners.
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to develop and deliver long‑term plans, manage complex services and drive sustainable change.
• Demonstrable ability to lead major capital projects, option appraisals and large‑scale programmes.
• Strong understanding of local authority legislation, planning and transport policy, climate responsibilities and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with experience of representing organisations at senior regional and national levels.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.