Strategic Development Management Lead

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlement (26 days, 5

Pension scheme

Wellbeing & Employee Assistance

Private health care options

EV salary sacrifice

Volunteering days

Flexible & hybrid working

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are seeking a Strategic and Professional Lead (Development Management) to drive planning strategy, champion sustainable placemaking, and represent the councils in complex proceedings. Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, the role shapes growth and high-quality places for communities.

The post requires leadership, policy expertise, and a collaborative approach, with a hybrid working pattern and a strong commitment to staff development and inclusive

Qualifications

• 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.
• Creative and pragmatic approach to delivering the best outcomes with communities at the forefront.
• Commitment to mentoring and supporting staff to be the best they can be.
• Commitment to our values, behaviours and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Developing strategies for complex development proposals.
• Championing exemplary design and placemaking.
• Leading representation of the Councils at appeals or major and complex planning proceedings to safeguard robust decision making.
• Production and delivery of the Service Plan and associated business, service improvement and project plans.
• Working with and supporting communities to deliver the Councils’ vision for sustainable growth.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Supporting and mentoring team members with CPD.

Skills

Planning expertise

Communication skills

Leadership

Mentoring staff

Policy knowledge

Strategic thinking

Education

Professional body membership

Planning-related degree

Job description

Job Description

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £55,224 - £65,092 per annum
• 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.

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 Strategic and Professional Lead (Development Management) role will place you at the centre of this agenda, helping to support inclusive 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 leader who 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:

• over 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.

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.

This post will require regular face to face leadership and representation of the service in relevant public meetings and with the team. A presence in the office is therefore essential.

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.

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.

Closing date

5.00 pm, 30 September 2026