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- Tasks: Lead planning and development across three councils, shaping sustainable growth.
- Company: Join the largest council partnership in England, focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, career progression, and excellent employee benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and influence how places grow and change.
- Qualifications: Extensive planning knowledge and proven leadership experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with strong support for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 63556 - 73269 £ per year.
South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership is seeking a Group Manager – Planning and Development to lead our Development Management functions and oversee the delivery of complex planning applications that support sustainable growth across our communities. As part of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, you will operate within a diverse and fast‑paced area covering 49% of Lincolnshire’s geography and serving over 300,000 residents.
About Us
Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council have formed the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Since launching in October 2021, the Partnership has achieved significant improvements in service delivery and continues to expand opportunities for shared expertise and innovation.
Why Join Us?
- Lead Development Management functions across three councils, influencing how places grow and change.
- Oversee major and complex planning applications, ensuring effective and consistent decision‑making.
- Shape innovative approaches to design quality, biodiversity net gain, heritage protection, and sustainable development.
- Be part of an award‑winning Partnership recognised nationally for collaboration and innovation.
- Access strong staff development pathways, including leadership programmes and professional qualifications.
- Benefit from agile and flexible working arrangements within a supportive, collaborative environment.
As Group Manager – Planning and Development, you will:
- Provide operational and professional leadership for Development Management functions across 3 Council teams.
- Oversee the processing and determination of planning applications, ensuring high-quality outcomes and robust decision‑making.
- Lead and inspire teams, driving performance, consistency, and customer‑focused service delivery.
- Work closely with senior leaders, elected members, applicants, developers, and partner organisations.
- Manage budgets, contracts, and service improvements, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and value for money.
- Support growth priorities across the Partnership through excellent planning and development practices.
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive knowledge of planning legislation, development management processes, and decision‑making requirements.
- Proven leadership experience within a senior planning or development role.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to travel across the Partnership area as part of your duties.
BENEFITS: We offer excellent terms and conditions of employment including:
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, enjoy peace of mind with generous employer contributions to a scheme designed to provide long‑term financial security after your working life.
- Generous annual leave scheme + option to buy more.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Employee Benefits Platform including retail, holiday, and leisure discounts.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Flu Jabs.
- Flexible Working Policy.
- Agile Working Policy.
- Excellent career progression and training opportunities.
- Long Service Recognition.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you’re passionate about planning leadership and want to help shape the future of South & East Lincolnshire, we’d love to hear from you.
How to Apply:
- Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
- Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
- Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
- Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
- Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
If you have a long‑term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com, to inform the Penna team.
Contact Andreas Efthymiou at andreas.efthymiou@penna.com or 07546 415 794 for a confidential conversation about the role.
Group Manager - Planning & Development employer: South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership
Contact Detail:
South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Manager - Planning & Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the planning and development field. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the councils involved. Understand their recent projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in shaping the future of South & East Lincolnshire.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've driven high-quality decision-making in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the councils involved right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Manager - Planning & Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Group Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and knowledge of planning legislation to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Use your supporting statement to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your achievements in planning and development that demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams.
Follow Application Instructions: Pay close attention to the application process. Ensure you upload your CV and supporting statement correctly, and remember to include your full name in the file names. We want to make it easy for us to find your application!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for planning and development shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but genuinely excited about shaping the future of South & East Lincolnshire!
How to prepare for a job interview at South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership
✨Know Your Planning Legislation
Brush up on your knowledge of planning legislation and development management processes. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact decision-making and how you can apply them effectively across the three councils.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in previous roles. Think about how you've inspired teams, driven performance, and ensured customer-focused service delivery. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to lead diverse teams.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about your communication and negotiation skills. Consider scenarios where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders, including senior leaders and developers. Show that you can build relationships and influence decisions effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision for Sustainable Growth
Think about innovative approaches to design quality and sustainable development. Be prepared to share your vision for how you would oversee complex planning applications and support growth priorities within the partnership.
