Service Manager - Planning

East Lothian Council; Haddington; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lothian Council is seeking a Planning Service Manager to lead and manage its high-performing Planning Service. This role offers a flexible hybrid working environment and a focus on strategic planning and development in a picturesque area. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in the planning sector, ensuring the continued excellence of service delivery.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess a degree in town planning or equivalent.
• Chartered membership of RTPI required.
• Experience in planning systems at a senior level is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the delivery of the Planning service.
• Work collaboratively with senior colleagues from partner organizations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Strategic working

Education

Degree in town planning

Chartered membership of RTPI

Relevant post-graduate qualifications

Job description

Location: Council HQ John Muir House Brewery Park Haddington, EH41 3HA

Salary: £68,488 - £77,157 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Position Type: Full Time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Work From Home: Hybrid

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £17.04 - £18.45

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible
To start 1st August 2025.

A rare opportunity has arisen to manage and lead our high performing Planning Service.

You will need to have: outstanding organisational and communication skills; significant experience of working in the planning system at a senior level; an ability to work at a strategic level with senior colleagues from a wide range of partner organisations; sound knowledge of relevant key legislation and national guidance; and enthusiasm and commitment to high quality work and continuous service improvement.

East Lothian is a beautiful and varied landscape stretching from the coastline to the north across the agricultural plain to the Lammermuir Hills to the south. It is also an area undergoing significant development.

Based within the heart of the area at Haddington the role offers the potential for great work / life balance, with the flexibility of hybrid working. A great place to further develop your career, and take on senior management responsibility within a supportive and friendly environment.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here . Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

To ensure the co-ordinated management and delivery of the Planning service.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’ – values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Degree in town planning or equivalent discipline recognised by RTPI.
Chartered membership of the RTPI.
Relevant post-graduate qualifications.
Continuing Professional Development evidence

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance
This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.