Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning initiatives and shape the future of our borough.
- Company: Swale Borough Council, a progressive local authority in Kent.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, flexible working, free parking, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on communities and inspire future placemakers.
- Qualifications: Experienced planning leader with strong strategic judgement and passion for sustainability.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture that values work-life balance and staff wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Senior planners often reach a point where they want more than delivering individual schemes; they want to shape places and inspire placemakers. This role offers exactly that. This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership position where your expertise and judgement will directly influence how our borough grows and evolves for generations to come. This role places you at the centre of strategic decision-making, community impact, and place-shaping.
As Chief Planning Officer, you will provide professional leadership for the planning service, setting the strategic direction for the Local Plan and ensuring consistently high standards across a committed team of 38. You will be a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a visionary leader who understands that effective planning underpins a strong local economy and sustainable communities.
Why Join Us?
- Influence & Legacy: As the professional lead on complex planning cases and policy development, your work will leave a tangible, long-term impact on the borough. We prioritise outcomes over presenteeism, offering a culture that genuinely supports balance and flexibility.
- A Supportive Culture: You’ll join an organisation built on honesty, empathy, and collaboration - where working together truly matters.
What We’re Looking For: An experienced planning leader with an excellent understanding of planning policy and law, strong strategic judgement, and a genuine passion for creating resilient, sustainable places.
About Swale Borough Council: Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work-life balance is high on our agenda.
Our Offer: A range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
- Free parking.
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities.
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping.
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals.
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role.
Chief Planning Officer in Folkestone employer: Swale Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Swale Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Planning Officer in Folkestone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the planning field. 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
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and vision for sustainable planning. Share examples of how you've shaped places in the past – it’ll help them see you as the perfect fit for the Chief Planning Officer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the borough and its current planning challenges. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their goals. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but genuinely invested in the community’s future.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Planning Officer in Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Planning: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for planning shine through! Share specific examples of how you've shaped places or influenced community projects in the past. We want to see that you’re not just about policies but also about making a real difference.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your experience with strategic decision-making and community impact. We love seeing candidates who understand our borough's unique needs and can articulate how they’ll contribute to our vision.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swale Borough Council
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and laws relevant to the role. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your expertise and understanding of the field, which is crucial for a Chief Planning Officer.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership experience. Think about times when you've mentored others or led a team through complex planning challenges. This will highlight your ability to inspire and guide a committed team.
✨Showcase Your Vision for the Borough
Be ready to articulate your vision for the future of the borough. Discuss how you would approach strategic decision-making and community impact, as this role is all about shaping places and creating sustainable communities.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Culture Fit
Swale Borough Council values honesty, empathy, and collaboration. Prepare to discuss how you embody these values in your work and how you would contribute to a supportive culture within the organisation.