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- Tasks: Lead the planning function to shape a city's growth and regeneration agenda.
- Company: Major city authority focused on development and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, leadership role, and opportunity to influence urban development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant city while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: RTPI-recognised degree and substantial senior-level planning experience required.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an outstanding planning leader to take on a high-impact role at the heart of a major city’s growth and regeneration agenda. As Head of Development Management & Enforcement, you will lead a complex, high-profile planning function, balancing commercial awareness, political sensitivity and professional excellence to unlock development and deliver quality places.
This is a role for someone comfortable operating at pace, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving performance across a large, multi-disciplinary service.
The Opportunity
You will own the end-to-end leadership of Development Management and Enforcement, ensuring the service is commercially aware, customer-focused and outcomes-driven. Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, developers and partners, you will play a critical role in shaping how the city grows.
Key elements of the role include:
- Strategic leadership of Development Management and Enforcement, setting direction, priorities and standards across the service.
- Acting as the senior point of contact for major and regionally significant developments, leading negotiations from pre-application through to determination and delivery.
- Driving a pro-growth, business-friendly planning culture while maintaining high professional and ethical standards.
- Overseeing planning committee activity, providing clear, confident and commercially sound advice to members.
- Ensuring Development Management actively supports and delivers the Local Plan, regeneration priorities and wider corporate objectives.
- Leading performance, risk and resource management across the service, ensuring targets are met and value for money is achieved.
- Managing significant budgets, income streams and Section 106 contributions, with a focus on financial discipline and efficiency.
- Building strong, influential relationships across the public and private sectors, including developers, investors, combined authorities and statutory bodies.
- Championing innovation, continuous improvement and digital working to improve customer experience and service delivery.
- Embedding social value, sustainability and inclusive growth into decision-making and procurement.
Leadership & People Management
- Direct leadership of Development Management and Enforcement Team Leaders.
- Build and lead a high-performing management team through clear objectives, coaching and accountability.
- Create a culture of trust, learning and professional excellence.
- Lead workforce planning, talent development and succession planning within the service.
- Address performance and behavioural issues with confidence and professionalism.
What You’ll Bring
Essential
- RTPI-recognised degree (or equivalent experience) in Town Planning.
- Substantial senior-level experience managing Development Management services within a large, complex urban authority.
- Proven track record of leading major and complex planning applications, appeals and enforcement activity.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance growth, quality and compliance.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with confidence operating in political and high-pressure environments.
- Experience of driving service improvement, performance management and cultural change.
Desirable
- Post-qualification training in leadership, urban design, heritage or related disciplines.
- Highly developed negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong digital and information management capability.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the credibility to operate at senior and regional levels.
- Full driving licence.
Head of Development in Liverpool employer: ExamWorks UK Careers
Contact Detail:
ExamWorks UK Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development in Liverpool
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join local planning groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in managing complex planning applications and leading teams. Share specific examples of how you've driven service improvement and cultural change in previous roles.
✨Be Ready for the Spotlight
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your presentation skills. You might need to present your vision for the role or discuss how you'd handle specific challenges. Practice makes perfect, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Development Management. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior role, we want to see how you've led teams and projects in the past. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and managed complex planning applications.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at ExamWorks UK Careers
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key elements of development management and enforcement. Brush up on local planning policies, regeneration priorities, and the specific challenges facing Liverpool. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also invested in the city’s growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing complex projects. Think about how you’ve built high-performing teams and driven cultural change in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can create a culture of trust and professional excellence within the team.
✨Master Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, practice articulating your approach to building relationships with developers, investors, and public sector partners. Have a few anecdotes ready that demonstrate your negotiation skills and ability to operate in high-pressure environments.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Demonstrate your proactive mindset by preparing to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in past roles. Think about specific instances where you’ve driven service improvement or managed risks effectively. This will show that you’re not just a planner but a problem-solver who can deliver results.