Group Manager - Planning & Development in London
Group Manager - Planning & Development

Group Manager - Planning & Development in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead planning and development across three councils, shaping sustainable growth in communities.
  • Company: Join the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, a leader in collaboration and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on community development while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Extensive planning knowledge and proven leadership experience required.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression and recognition for long service.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

Are you an experienced planning professional with the leadership skills to drive high‑quality decision‑making across three Councils? We are 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 (SELCP) – the largest of its kind in England – 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. With services increasingly aligning across the three Councils, colleagues benefit from the chance to shape new and evolving ways of working.

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.
  • Free Eye Test voucher for regular screen users.
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme roles over 33k and if permanent.
  • Flexible Working Policy.
  • Agile Working Policy.
  • Excellent career progression and training opportunities.
  • Long Service Recognition.

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 to inform the Penna team.

Please find the full job description for the role. Please note this campaign may close early if an appropriate candidate is found. The Council reserves the right to change the closing date, depending on application numbers. Interviews may be arranged virtually/ in person when suitable candidates apply which may be prior to the closing date.

Group Manager - Planning & Development in London employer: South Holland

Join the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership as a Group Manager – Planning and Development, where you will lead innovative planning initiatives across three councils, impacting over 300,000 residents. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth with access to leadership programmes, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package including a robust pension scheme and employee assistance programmes. Be part of an award-winning team recognised for collaboration and excellence in service delivery, making a meaningful difference in sustainable community development.
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Contact Detail:

South Holland Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Group Manager - Planning & Development in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the planning and development field. Attend local events or webinars related to urban planning, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the councils involved. Understand their recent projects and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership pitch! As a Group Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve driven performance and made impactful decisions. Be ready to share these stories during interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in planning and development across our communities. So, get your CV and supporting statement ready!

We think you need these skills to ace Group Manager - Planning & Development in London

Leadership Skills
Planning Legislation Knowledge
Development Management Processes
Decision-Making Requirements
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Stakeholder Engagement
Budget Management
Contract Management
Service Improvement
Customer-Focused Service Delivery
Performance Management
Agile Working
Collaboration Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Group Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and knowledge of planning legislation to show us you’re the right fit!

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Use your supporting statement to tell us why you’re passionate about planning and development. Share specific examples of how you've driven decision-making and led teams in previous roles.

Follow the Application Instructions: Pay close attention to the application process! Ensure your CV and supporting statement are uploaded correctly and that they include your full name in the file names. We want to make it easy for us to find your application!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Group Manager, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders and lead teams effectively. This will help us see your potential impact on our councils!

How to prepare for a job interview at South Holland

✨Know Your Planning Legislation

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning legislation and development management processes. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you can navigate complex situations effectively.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Think about times when you inspired your team or improved service delivery. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to drive performance and consistency across multiple councils.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Be ready to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement. Highlight instances where you've effectively communicated with senior leaders, elected members, and developers. This will illustrate your strong communication skills and your ability to build relationships that support sustainable growth.

✨Demonstrate Your Vision for Development

Think about innovative approaches to design quality and sustainable development that you could bring to the role. Be prepared to share your ideas on how to enhance biodiversity and heritage protection within the planning process, showing that you’re forward-thinking and aligned with the councils' goals.

Group Manager - Planning & Development in London
South Holland
Location: London

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