Strategic Head of Planning Policy & Environment

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Lifestyle discounts

Flexible working

Inclusive Employee Networks

Employee Assistance Programme

Training courses

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Planning Service as Head of Planning Policy & Environment. You will shape policy across planning, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage, working closely with senior leaders and elected Members.

This strategic role requires extensive knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to build partnerships with neighbours and external partners.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage.
• Strong understanding of economic growth, regeneration and place-making.
• Expertise in national and regional planning policy and legislative change.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of leading high-performing planning services.
• Experience of working within a political environment and advising elected members and senior stakeholders.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, organisational change and multidisciplinary teams.
• A relevant planning qualification and membership of RTPI.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production, review and implementation of planning policy, procedures and guidance.
• Provide authoritative planning policy advice to Members, senior officers and stakeholders.
• Drive engagement with residents, communities and partners on key planning matters.
• Build effective partnerships with neighbouring authorities and external organisations.
• Support and guide neighbourhood planning initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing, customer-focused service.
• Manage service budgets and identify income generation opportunities.
• Develop, motivate and inspire a diverse professional team.
• Deliver performance improvements and continuous service development.
• Promote excellent customer service and effective complaint resolution.

Skills

Planning policy

Environmental policy

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Budget management

Multidisciplinary teams

Policy implementation

Strategic thinking

Education

Planning qualification

RTPI membership

Job description

Coventry City Council is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Planning Service as Head of Planning Policy & Environment. You will shape policy across planning, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage, working closely with senior leaders and elected Members.

This strategic role requires extensive knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to build partnerships with neighbours and external partners.