Corporate Lead

Job Opportunity: Corporate Lead – New Communities

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Location: Devon
Contract Type: Temporary
Start Date: Monday, 15 December 2025
Start Time: 09:00
End Date: Sunday, 1 March 2026
Hourly Rate: £32.51 per hour

Overview
East Devon District Council is seeking an experienced and influential Corporate Lead – New Communities to guide the strategic planning and creation of new, sustainable communities such as Cranbrook New Town, Marlcombe, and key Enterprise Zone developments.
This role requires strong leadership, planning expertise, and the ability to manage large-scale programmes while working closely with internal and external partners.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Management

Lead and shape the New Communities Team in alignment with organisational objectives.
Drive performance, ensuring targets are met while maintaining a high-quality service.
Oversee the planning and delivery of major development programmes. Operational Delivery

Lead masterplans, supplementary planning documents, and planning proposals from pre-application to post-consent.
Manage major development sites within the Cranbrook expansion, Marlcombe New Community, and Enterprise Zone.
Oversee consultants, procurement, budgets, and governance processes.
Negotiate with developers to secure high-quality outcomes for residents. Stakeholder Engagement

Provide updates to leadership, committees, and member forums.
Represent the Council externally at public hearings, inquiries, and examinations.
Maintain strong relationships with key partners including Homes England, MHCLG, infrastructure providers, and local communities. People Management

Lead, support, and develop a team of planning and built-environment professionals.
Manage performance, training, communication, and HR processes.
Foster a culture of improvement and excellence. Change & Programme Management

Contribute to organisational change initiatives.
Introduce new systems and technologies to improve service delivery.
Ensure the team adapts to changing planning and regulatory environments. Data, Performance & Financial Oversight

Ensure robust data management to support decision-making.
Monitor budgets, value-for-money processes, procurement, and financial regulations.
Oversee capital and revenue spending categories. xiskglj Additional Duties

Support safeguarding, equality, risk management, health & safety, and Council-wide compliance.
Participate in duty rotas across Honiton and Exmouth offices