Development Manager - Planning

_{28th April, 2026}

Are you an experienced Development Manager within Planning, seeking your next contract?
My client has an immediate vacancy for an Area Team Manager to join their development planning team on an interim basis.
The successful applicant will provide effective management and lead a team(s) of officers within the Development management service including responsibility for staff performance management.

Responsibilities:

• To act as case officer for corporately important major projects to drive the Development Management function.
• To deputise for the Head of Development Management and cover for the Planning Support Manager as required.
• Team management including workload allocation and managing performance to ensure individual and teams work effectively and local and service performance indicators are met.
• Responsible to ensure all advice, recommendations and decisions (both as an individual and of team) comply with all relevant regulations and legislation and appropriately consider representations from individuals and groups.
• Take an active role as part of the Development Management service management team including participating/contributing to long term strategic decisions and policy making.
• Responding to media enquiries in accordance with advice and support from the Comms team and as agreed with Head of Service.
• Provide definitive expert development management advice on complex technical planning, design, development viability, environmental, conservation and other planning-related matters.
• Undertaking case officer role and making recommendations on major and corporately important application proposals, including giving pre-application advice; examining and evaluating application proposals; carrying out appropriate consultations; negotiating improvements; considering relevant legislation, local and national policy implications; considering responses and objections in relation to S106 and CIL; making recommendations.
• Attend Planning Committee to present reports, provide advice and act as primary source of planning advice in Head of Development Management’s absence.

Requirements:

• Post Graduate Level Town Planning Qualification
• Corporate Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Extensive and broad experience of the development management function including in a Local Planning Authority

To apply, please attach a copy of your CV