Chief Planning Officer

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Job title: Chief Planning Officer
Salary: Up to £123,394
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent

Leeds is a city that consistently exceeds expectations and contributes over and above to the wider UK economy. We continue to make our mark regionally, nationally and globally, powered by the broad range of talent and assets found in every corner of the city.

Our Leeds Ambitions set out a positive vision for the future of Leeds – one which recognises the amazing strengths and opportunities we have. Our economy is growing and continues to attract investment making Leeds a better place to do business and a great place to live. The partnerships which drive our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our population are as good as you will find anywhere in the country. And Leeds is once again leading the way in demonstrating how we can meaningfully tackle climate change, recently being one of only 119 global cities to receive the highest ‘A grade’ by the Carbon Disclosure Project.

To realise our ambitions we need a planning professional with the energy, confidence and experience to deliver at scale. This is a key senior role which will set the spatial requirements for the development and management of this core city within a large geography.

Leeds is a city committed to inclusive growth and development, so you will play a critical strategic role within the council. In this position you will bring strong leadership and be strategically and operationally responsible for the council’s planning functions and the delivery of agreed outcomes, targets and objectives as determined by our Organisational Plan.

You will be confident in working with key partners at local, regional and national level and be adept at working in collaboration with colleagues and partners to support the delivery of real change across the city.

Candidates need to demonstrate

• Experience of leading and managing the planning functions in a major public sector or private sector organisation ensuring the delivery and improvement of services that meet the needs of citizens and stakeholders.
• Evidence of leading, shaping and influencing innovative and commercially astute practice to maximise opportunities while realising efficiencies.
• Experience of developing and managing a transparent framework for compliance with planning legislation and policy requirements at national, regional and local levels.
• Experience of representing an organisation on a range of planning related matters at regional and national level.

For further information go to https://leadingleeds.co.uk/ or contact our retained consultants at Penna: Pete John 07701 305617 or Mark Baldwinson 07764 698139

Closing Date: 9 November 2025.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you\’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

With an emphasis on strong leadership, this role operates within the context of the Leeds Ambitions and the city’s broader strategic objectives. The Chief Planning Officer is strategically and operationally responsible for the Council’s planning functions and the delivery of agreed outcomes, targets and objectives as determined by our Organisational Plan.

This is a critical role for the council and will set the spatial requirements for the development and management of this core city within a large geography.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, providing advice and expertise to decision makers across the Council.
• Work with key partners at national, regional and local level and in collaboration with colleagues and partners support the delivery of real change across the city.
• Effective leadership and management of the Council’s planning functions to meet the needs of the city’s residents and broader stakeholders.
• Creation of a culture of excellence in service delivery, continuous improvement and a focus on outcomes which maximises the use of resources and actively promotes the council’s values and behaviours.
• Responsible, through delegated authority arrangements, for relevant statutory planning related matters: working closely with elected members to achieve this.
• Working across the council and with partners to ensure the delivery of strategic outcomes and objectives.
• Influencing and contributing to the wider issue of strategy development and prioritisation for both the city and the City Council.
• Working with the MCA on regional matters and with other District Chief Planning Officers for collaborations and joint delivery.
• Take responsibility for maintaining effective communications and engagement with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders and which supports open, inclusive, responsive and accountable government.
• Lead, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
• Work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government providing appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework Ensure that effective budget management and control takes place across your service, the planned level and quality of service provided for within the revenue and capital budgets are delivered and that budget pressures are resolved.
• Responsibility for the direction and control of a significant budget, the financial integrity of the service and accountable for directing and implementing comprehensive risk management programmes and resources across the service(s).
• The service is delivered within budget; value for money is maximised, and operational, regulatory, statutory, financial and risk is managed and monitored in compliance with council requirements and with Local Government and national working practices.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications

Relevant post graduate degree qualification or substantial experience in working in this field together with substantial senior leadership and management experience, which allows for Corporate Membership of the RTPI.

Working Context

Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.

Essential requirements

• Experience of leading and managing the Planning functions in a major public sector or private sector organisation ensuring the delivery and improvement of services that meet the needs of our citizens and stakeholders.
• Evidence of leading, shaping and influencing innovative and commercially astute practice to maximise opportunities while realising efficiencies.
• Experience of developing and managing a transparent framework for compliance with national, regional and local planning, legislation and policy requirements.
• Experience of representing an organisation on a range of planning related matters at regional and national level.
• Ability to ensure the Council meets and complies with all statutory and legal planning requirements, ensuring appropriate plans, policies and resources are in place to respond to those needs including monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
• Ability to shape solutions to complex and sensitive planning proposals.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to Planning and Sustainable Development including Building Control.
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.
• Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders and of forging and driving successful partnership programmes to deliver cross sector priorities and outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.
• Experience of successful leadership and management of large scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.
• Evidence of ability to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with high level organisational skills.
• Significant successful senior leadership experience.
• Substantial experience of operating in a political environment.
• Extensive experience of exercising sound judgement and providing clear advice at senior level.
• Experience of developing and implementing highly complex strategies leading to successful outcomes.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and code of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Promote and lead a positive Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Fire (HSWF) culture, ensuring statutory compliance and effective risk management through implementation of council policies, and proactive leadership alongside support services.

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