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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic planning team and deliver high-quality regulatory services to local authorities.
- Company: Capita Local Public Services, a forward-thinking consultancy with a focus on excellence.
- Benefits: Home-based role with travel, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a supportive and innovative workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of planning while leading a talented team in a consultancy environment.
- Qualifications: Strong planning expertise and proven leadership skills in a consultancy setting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Capita Local Public Services is looking for an experienced Head of Planning to lead our Planning function - a role that effectively operates as the Head of Planning within our professional consultancy. This is an exciting opportunity to shape, grow and lead a planning team delivering high-quality regulatory services into local authorities across the UK.
As the Head of Planning, you will lead a multidisciplinary planning team of around 19 people, including Development Management planners, Principal Planners, Planning Managers and a small Planning Policy team. You will drive operational excellence, ensure high-quality project delivery, and support the commercial performance of the function. This is a senior leadership role requiring strong planning expertise, team leadership capability, and the ability to operate in a commercial consultancy environment.
Important: This is not a local authority Head of Planning role. You will be leading a consultancy-based planning team that provides development management, policy work, and planning expertise into local authorities. This is a home-based role with regular travel required to our Belfast and Manchester offices (typically weekly or as needed to support team relationships and delivery).
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the full planning team (approx. 19 people) across Development Management and Planning Policy
- Providing day-to-day leadership, coaching, 1:1s, performance management and resource oversight
- Ensuring high standard delivery of regulatory planning services into local authority clients
- Supporting project delivery where needed, including occasional hands-on DM or policy work
- Contributing to forecasting, commercial reviews and fee proposal development
- Driving quality, utilisation and operational efficiency within the team
- Representing the Planning function within the consultancy and supporting wider business priorities
Head of Town Planning employer: Capita plc
Contact Detail:
Capita plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Town Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the planning sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in a consultancy environment. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the multidisciplinary team they'll be relying on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Town Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Planning role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant planning expertise that aligns with what we’re looking for. This shows us you understand the role and are genuinely interested.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our consultancy environment. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered high-quality services in the past.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, make sure to emphasise your team leadership capabilities. Talk about how you’ve coached and developed others, and how you drive operational excellence within your teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Capita plc
✨Know Your Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your planning expertise before the interview. Understand the nuances of both Development Management and Planning Policy, as you'll need to demonstrate your knowledge of regulatory services and how they apply to local authorities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Planning, you'll be leading a team of around 19 people. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, how you manage performance, and your approach to coaching and mentoring. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past.
✨Understand the Consultancy Environment
This role is within a consultancy, not a local authority. Familiarise yourself with the differences and be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the commercial aspects of consultancy work, including project delivery and client relationships.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Think about how you would handle real-life planning challenges, support project delivery, and drive operational excellence. This will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.