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- Tasks: Lead Kingston's Development Management and Planning Enforcement for sustainable growth.
- Company: Kingston Council, a vibrant and diverse borough in London.
- Benefits: Generous leave, hybrid working, learning opportunities, and local discounts.
- Why this job: Shape Kingston's future and influence flagship projects in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning and significant experience in planning applications.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to community and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 72399 - 79119 £ per year.
Employer: Kingston Council
Location(s): Kingston
Workplace Type: Hybrid Working
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time, 36 Hours per Week
Grade: M
Salary Range: £72,399 – £79,119 per annum
Leave Entitlement: 30 days
Application Deadline: 22/02/2026, 23:55
About the Borough: Found in zone 6 with good transport links in and out of London, Kingston is a vibrant and diverse university town which creates the rich sense of community shared across the borough and its residents. Kingston boasts an idyllic riverside location, good shopping and great restaurants, as well as a mix of modern and historic town centre. Kingston has lots of open parklands and cycle routes that help connect the district town centres into an enjoyable place to live and work. We are passionate about working closely with our residents and vulnerable groups to help them maintain their independence and create a balance between support and independent living.
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate:
- Set the strategic direction for Development Management and Enforcement, delivering a high‑performing, customer‑focused service.
- Lead on planning applications and negotiations, securing infrastructure and community benefits through Section 106 and CIL.
- Oversee Planning Committee activities and represent the service at senior level.
- Drive service improvement, innovation, and income generation through pre‑application services and Planning Performance Agreements.
- Inspire and develop your team, embedding a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For:
- Degree‑level qualification in Town Planning (or related discipline) and RTPI chartered membership (or eligibility).
- Significant experience assessing and advising on complex planning applications.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and driving performance.
- Comprehensive knowledge of planning legislation, local government operations, and political awareness.
- Ability to build strong partnerships and influence at senior levels.
Join us and help shape Kingston's future delivering sustainable growth, vibrant communities, and a forward‑thinking planning service in one of London's most exciting boroughs.
About Us: Lead Kingston's Growth Shape Our Future Places. We're looking for an outstanding leader to head up our Development Management and Planning Enforcement services driving positive growth and regeneration across Kingston. This is your chance to influence the borough's future, ensuring development aligns with our Local Plan and delivers sustainable, high‑quality outcomes for our communities.
Why Kingston? From our historic riverside and vibrant market town to major regeneration schemes, Kingston is one of London's most dynamic boroughs. You'll play a pivotal role in flagship projects, guiding development that balances heritage with innovation.
Our Offer To You: As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we're committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We're constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
Benefits:
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 25‑32 days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time working hours apply) depending on service and grade.
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependants leave.
- Three volunteering days per year in Kingston.
- Hybrid working (dependent on the role).
- Flexible and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks.
- Learning and development portal offering a range of courses.
- Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres.
- Interest free season ticket loans.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme.
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme.
- Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support.
Application Process: For more information and to apply, please visit www.kingstonjobs.co.uk. Penna are managing this recruitment campaign on our behalf as our trusted Recruitment Partners. Apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application.
We understand and recognise the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace and are embracing AI where appropriate, to boost our productivity and streamline how we deliver our Council services efficiently; to provide the best possible outcomes for our residents and communities. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where it is apparent that AI‑generated content has been used in isolation and without personalised responses. At Kingston we value authenticity and are looking for individuals who can clearly demonstrate their own skills, experience and motivation for the role that they are applying for and embrace and demonstrate our STAR values.
Here at Kingston we have core values of Transparency and this is to be demonstrated during the application process and completion of the supporting statement and will be further tested at interview and selection stage for those who progress forward.
Additional Information: We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming Borough and we strive to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve, and instil a sense of belonging in our staff. We celebrate and respect differences and appreciate the value of having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome applications from under‑represented groups. To support our workers and their families we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda. We are also proud to be a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a role. As an accredited London Living Wage Employer all our employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of their length or type of contract.
The UK has a points‑based immigration system affecting EU and Non‑EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case‑by‑case basis.
Important Information - Political Restrictions: This post has been deemed as politically restricted / sensitive and therefore applicants will be required to declare any interests that may be deemed political as part of their application.
Head of Development Management employer: MoTech
Contact Detail:
MoTech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development Management
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the planning and development sector. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Kingston Council and its recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for sustainable growth and community engagement. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your vision for Development Management and how you can lead a high-performing team. Rehearse common interview questions and prepare some thoughtful questions of your own to show your interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity. Make sure to highlight your leadership skills and experience with complex planning applications in your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: We want to hear your unique voice! Make sure your application reflects who you are and what you bring to the table. Avoid using AI-generated content without personal touches, as we value authenticity.
Showcase Your Skills: When outlining your skills and experience, be specific about how they align with the role. Highlight your leadership abilities and any relevant planning experience that makes you a perfect fit for the Head of Development Management position.
Follow the STAR Method: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses in the supporting statement. This will help us understand your thought process and the impact of your contributions in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Kingston Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at MoTech
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning legislation and local government operations. Familiarise yourself with Kingston's Local Plan and recent developments in the borough. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also invested in the community.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven performance in previous roles. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you inspired your team to overcome them. This is crucial for a leadership position like Head of Development Management.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Partnerships
Since building strong partnerships is key for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've influenced stakeholders at senior levels. Highlight any successful collaborations you've had and how they benefited the community or organisation.
✨Embrace the STAR Method
When answering questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you clearly articulate your experiences and demonstrate how you've made a positive impact in your previous roles.
