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- Tasks: Lead planning policy and legislation for heritage protection across England.
- Company: Historic England champions the historic environment, helping people value and care for heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, wellness programmes, generous holidays, and corporate discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on heritage preservation while enjoying a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: High-standard qualification in planning with heritage knowledge and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 64000 £ per year.
Location Hybrid ·United Kingdom(multiple locations) Swindon · Portsmouth · Birmingham · York · Newcastle · Bristol, City of · Cambridge · Manchester National – We offer hybrid working where you will be based in the office and from home.
Team Policy and Evidence – Heritage Information
Seniority Senior
- Closing:11:59pm, 17th Aug 2025 BST
Perks and benefits
Work from home option
Wellness programs
Employee Assistance Programme
Additional parental leave
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Paid emergency leave
Sabbatical Opportunities
Mentoring/coaching
Payroll giving
Salary sacrifice
Team social events
Team lunches
Extracurricular clubs
Cycle to work scheme
Candidate happiness
7.99 (8860)
Job Description
Summary
We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.
Historic England have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Head of Planning within our Heritage Protection team.
This is a Full Time, Permanent post based nationally at one of our offices, with hybrid working.
The location of this role is National where we offer hybrid working, you will be based in one of our following offices and from home – Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth (Fort Cumberland) and Cambridge.
National – £54,876 per annum
Cambridge – £56,566 per annum
We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 28.97% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.
To view our full range of benefits please follow the link here .
What you will be doing
This is a specialist national planning post focused on leading Historic England’s advice to government on planning policy and legislation. You will work closely with colleagues in the Policy and Evidence and Regions Groups.
You will act as a powerful and public advocate for the importance of heritage in the planning system and the central place of planning in protecting heritage, as well as providing leadership within the sector and beyond. You will take lead responsibility in Historic England for anticipating and influencing the fast moving national planning agenda, ensuring that heritage is both properly protected through England’s planning system and contributes positively to delivery of government missions.
A key part of this will be by working very closely with MHCLG officials, but you will also need to engage with other government departments on cross-cutting planning issues. You will also collaborate with heritage sector partners, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Local Government Association and the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, to help them maximise their opportunities for constructive involvement in the process.
Who we are looking for
A high-standard academic and/or professional qualification in planning, with heritage related or environmental knowledge
A thorough understanding of the national planning system
Demonstrable negotiating and problem-solving skills
Clear understanding of and commitment to the strategic purpose and direction of Historic England
Demonstrable experience of successfully managing and motivating a team
Please note your application will be scored and assessed against the above criteria.
We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having just won the Gold Award from MIND, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance.
We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can.
We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working. Please visit our jobs pages or contact us to find out more.
Why work for Historic England
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.
Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at recruitmentTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries.
At Historic England we use a hiring system called Applied. Applied is a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform that reduces bias, improves quality of hire and increases diversity. We do not use CV application for the majority of our hiring processes. You will answer a selection of questions that allow our hiring teams to test your skills and suitability for the role.
To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process for everyone the use of AI or automated tools is not permitted.
Provisional interview dates: 01st and 02nd September 2025
Please follow the link for a full copy of the Job Description –
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Removing bias from the hiring process
- Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
- You won\’t need a CV to apply to this job
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Head of Planning employer: Be Applied Ltd
Contact Detail:
Be Applied Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the national planning system and current heritage policies. Understanding the latest developments in planning legislation will help you engage effectively during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the heritage and planning sectors. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities within the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and team management experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully motivated a team or navigated complex negotiations, as these skills are crucial for the Head of Planning role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Historic England's recent initiatives and projects. Being knowledgeable about their work will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to articulate how your vision aligns with their strategic goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Planning position. Highlight key skills such as negotiation, problem-solving, and knowledge of the national planning system in your application.
Tailor Your Responses: Since the application process does not require a CV, focus on tailoring your answers to the specific questions provided. Use examples from your experience that demonstrate your qualifications and commitment to heritage and planning.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your experience in managing and motivating teams. Provide concrete examples of how you have successfully led projects or initiatives related to planning and heritage protection.
Highlight Inclusivity and Diversity: Historic England values diversity and inclusion. Mention any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that promote these values, showcasing your understanding of their importance in the workplace.
How to prepare for a job interview at Be Applied Ltd
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description for the Head of Planning role. Familiarise yourself with Historic England's mission and how this position contributes to their goals. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Expertise in Planning
Be prepared to discuss your academic and professional qualifications in planning, especially those related to heritage and environmental knowledge. Highlight any relevant experience you have in negotiating and problem-solving within the national planning system.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a potential leader, it's crucial to showcase your experience in managing and motivating teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or initiatives in the past, particularly in contexts that relate to heritage or public advocacy.
✨Engage with Current Issues
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in the national planning agenda. Be ready to discuss how you would approach these issues and advocate for heritage protection within the planning system. This shows your proactive engagement with the sector.
