At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Dorset's planning function, driving economic growth and modernising services.
- Company: Dorset Council, committed to ambitious and sustainable development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong support, and the chance to shape the future of planning.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on regeneration and economic development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Dorset's development and embrace innovative planning solutions.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in planning and experience with Local Plans.
The predicted salary is between 97966 - 126181 £ per year.
Location: Dorset
Job type: Full Time
Salary: £97,966 - £126,181
Expires: 26/07/2026
Sector: Corporate Services, Corporate Management Team, Regeneration and Local Economies
Job role: Corporate Director
Do you share our ambition for Dorset? Our planning service is one of the largest in the country and already performs very well against the Government’s performance indicators, but we have real ambition to perform better, make swifter planning decisions, reflect the needs of our customers, and seize the opportunities presented by new technology and Artificial Intelligence. We think you will have a very sound starting point. Our performance is already strong and we have many professional and committed employees in our planning department. You can rely on where we already are, to reimagine where we want to be in the future. The near future. You will also have the opportunity to help Dorset become a modern, sustainable unitary council where planning actively enables our corporate priorities rather than simply managing them.
You will be joining the Leadership Team of our Economy and Environment directorate, reporting to the Executive Director, alongside colleagues responsible for economic development, highways and engineering, sustainable waste and resource management, and assets and property. The scope is significant, and the opportunity is clear: firm foundations, strong ambition and support from the wider team. Are you up for the challenge?
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the production and delivery of the Dorset Local Plan, ensuring it is economically viable and aligned with corporate priorities.
- Gearing planning to actively support economic growth, including regeneration and investment opportunities across the county.
- Driving forward strategic opportunities such as regeneration in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell; clean energy and offshore wind, and the Dorset Innovation Park.
- Modernising planning services, improving pace, consistency, customer experience and digital capability.
- Working closely with elected members, providing clear, confident advice and ensuring strong governance and decision-making.
- Building a culture that is unafraid to challenge “how we’ve always done things.”
- Overseeing significant budgets and resources with clear accountability and discipline.
About you:
You will have led at scale before and understand the reality of delivering through complexity, politics and competing priorities. You know planning can be more than regulation, and you have the drive and credibility to make that happen. You will also bring a track record of delivery through planning. You may well have already led the process of producing and adopting a Local Plan.
If you'd like an informal conversation with the Executive Director for Economy & Environment, please contact Karen Gondelle, Executive Assistant, or 01305 224 216.
Corporate Director – Planning (Full Time) in England employer: New Start
New Start is an exceptional employer located in Chelmsford, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With 27 days of holiday and participation in the Local Government Pension Scheme, we provide our team with valuable benefits while fostering an environment that encourages mentorship and collaboration among ecologists. Join us to make a meaningful impact on complex development projects in a dynamic and rewarding setting.
