Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate

Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate

Full-Time 130000 - 130000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Planning Inspectorate, driving strategic direction and operational success.
  • Company: Join a pivotal government organisation focused on modern planning systems.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible working, and tailored development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on planning reform and drive innovation in public service.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in complex organisations with strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and continuous professional development.

The predicted salary is between 130000 - 130000 £ per year.

The Chief Executive of PINS is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for the overall success, strategic direction, and operational delivery of the organisation. Working closely with the PINS Board and MHCLG, the Chief Executive ensures the Inspectorate delivers its mission, supports government priorities, and provides high-quality, impartial services to customers and stakeholders. In doing so, the CEO leads a highly skilled workforce, ensuring the Inspectorate is a modern, confident, customer‑focused organisation capable of delivering at pace while maintaining professional integrity – with an increasing focus on taking a collaborative approach to engagements with local and strategic authorities.

As the Inspectorate’s most senior executive, the CEO is responsible for ensuring the organisation delivers an effective and efficient service that underpins the Government’s ambitious agenda for planning reform. This includes making sure that the Inspectorate’s services reflect and implement the significant changes the Government has and continues to make to national planning policy, and to the structure and process of development plans, as part of the Government’s growth mission. As Accounting Officer, the CEO is responsible for the highest standards of financial administration and best utilisation of public assets. This includes providing robust leadership to the Executive Team and working closely with the PINS Board to deliver effective corporate governance.

Job description

  • Strategic Leadership: Set and communicate a clear vision for PINS, aligning the organisation with evolving government policy and the needs of a modern planning system.
  • Organisational Alignment: Lead the organisation to deliver efficient, timely, and high-quality services against targets, while promoting inclusivity and diversity.
  • System Collaboration: Build and maintain effective partnerships across government, local authorities, industry, and community stakeholders.
  • Digital Transformation: Drive innovation and digital transformation to enhance service delivery and customer experience, in particular through the incorporation of AI tools.
  • Governance and Accountability: As Accounting Officer, ensure robust financial management, risk control, and compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Change Management: Lead and inspire the organisation through change, embedding a growth and continuous improvement mindset.
  • Professional Renewal: Foster a culture of continuous professional development, reflective practice, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Person specification

We are seeking an accomplished leader with proven experience guiding large, complex organisations or teams at a senior level. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to set strategic direction, drive organisational transformation, and deliver technology-enabled change and business improvement. They will possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the credibility to represent PINS externally, alongside strong commercial awareness, risk management expertise, and financial acumen to fulfil Accounting Officer responsibilities. A commitment to professional development, inclusivity, collaboration, and adherence to Civil Service values is essential.

Essential Criteria:

  • Experience and track record of successfully leading organisations and/or operations of a comparable scale and complexity, in a customer focused environment with the ability to inspire colleagues at all levels of the business.
  • Successful track record of devising strategy and effectively translating it into deliverable actions that have made a demonstrable difference to business performance.
  • Credibility and experience of building long term, sustainable partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholder and board level operators across a complex and multi-disciplinary environment.
  • Successful experience of leading significant transformational change programmes that have delivered continuous improvements to the business operation, with the ability to take people at all levels on that transformational change journey where innovation can be embraced and fostered.
  • Track record of experience that will enable you to add a valuable perspective to the UK planning system, which critically, involves the ability to build credibility with subject matter experts.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £130,000, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £37,661 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role. An environment with flexible working options. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate employer: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) offers an exceptional opportunity for leaders seeking to make a significant impact in public service. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, professional development, and digital transformation, PINS fosters a collaborative work culture that empowers employees to drive meaningful change in the planning system. Located within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the organisation provides competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and flexible working options, making it an attractive employer for those dedicated to public service and community engagement.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Contact Detail:

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This way, we can tailor our responses to show how we align with their goals and demonstrate our leadership skills effectively.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine our answers and boost our confidence. We want to come across as authentic and knowledgeable, so let’s nail those responses before the big day.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows our enthusiasm for the role and keeps us on their radar. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit!

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate

Strategic Leadership
Organisational Alignment
System Collaboration
Digital Transformation
Governance and Accountability
Change Management
Professional Renewal
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Commercial Awareness
Risk Management
Financial Acumen
Stakeholder Engagement
Transformational Change
Inclusivity and Diversity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. The Chief Executive role at PINS is all about strategic leadership and collaboration, so make sure your application reflects an understanding of these key aspects.

Showcase Your Experience: Highlight your past experiences that align with the job description. We want to see how you've successfully led large organisations or teams, and how you've driven transformational change. Be specific and use examples that demonstrate your impact.

Be Clear and Concise: When it comes to written applications, clarity is key. Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your personality.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Know Your Vision

Before the interview, take some time to think about your vision for PINS. Be ready to articulate how you would align the organisation with evolving government policies and the needs of a modern planning system. This shows that you’re not just thinking about the role, but also about the future direction of the organisation.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in guiding large, complex organisations. Think about times when you inspired teams through change or drove organisational transformation. This will demonstrate your capability to lead a highly skilled workforce effectively.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since building partnerships is key for this role, come equipped with examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse stakeholders. Discuss how you’ve fostered inclusivity and diversity in previous roles, as this aligns with the values of PINS.

Demonstrate Financial Acumen

As the Accounting Officer, financial management is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial administration and risk control. Highlight any specific achievements that showcase your ability to manage public assets effectively and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Chief Executive Officer – Planning Inspectorate
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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