Planning Manager

£56,722 - £63,066 per annum (plus Essential Car User Allowance), plus Relocation Assistance of up to £8,000

Full time, 37 hours per week - Permanent

East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ or Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1RT

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We currently have an opportunity to join East Suffolk Council's Planning Team as a Planning Manager (Development Management) within a recently expanded Planning leadership team.

Your role

As part of a Planning Leadership Group, you will lead East Suffolk Council’s Development Management and Planning Enforcement functions, ensuring the delivery of a quality service for the determination of all planning applications (and associated consents) to secure the delivery of sustainable and well-designed development and growth across the district.

You will support the Head of Planning, Building Control and Coastal Management in delivering identified work arising from the East Suffolk Strategic Plan and associated Service Plans and strategies. You will be responsible for overseeing many of the most complex development proposals, including those that are a corporate priority, as well as providing professional support and guidance for colleagues on such cases.

What you will need

With a recognised and appropriate planning qualification, and membership of the RTPI (or being very close to achieving full membership), you will have extensive post qualification experience in planning, specifically in Development Management, and experience of giving evidence at public inquiries and informal hearings.

Experience of leading on major planning applications as part of a development team approach, and successfully and effectively managing staff are essential. Confidence in negotiation, the ability to foster robust working relationships, and strong analytical skills and are all essential for this position.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all of the essential requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Why work for us?

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access.

Here are some of the main benefits:

• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

The majority of our teams are working in an agile way, with a mixture of home and office working, depending on individual preferences and service requirements. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements if you were successful, please contact the recruiting manager listed below. 

Please read the job description and person specification before applying for this job.

To find out more

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Ben Woolnough, Head of Planning, Building Control and Coastal Management, by either emailing ben.woolnough@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 07833 406681.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application and upload your supporting statement on our website by clicking on the 'apply button'

Closing date: 1pm, 16 October 2024.

Interview date: Week commencing 4 November 2024.

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first-class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.