- Suffolk County Council
-
Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX, hybrid working
-
Salary: £66,517-£71,634 per annum (pro rata for part time)
-
Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
-
Contract: Secondment to 31/3/2028
This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only. Staff from Suffolk Districts and Boroughs can also apply
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Head of Planning, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.
Reimagine the possibilities.
At Suffolk County Council, planning is more than a statutory function. It is central to delivering sustainable growth, supporting thriving communities, enabling infrastructure investment and protecting Suffolk's unique environment.
We are seeking an exceptional planning leader to join us as Head of Planning.
This is an opportunity to influence some of the most significant development and infrastructure projects in the county, whilst leading a highly respected planning service at a time of national planning reform and system change.
Your role and responsibilities
As Head of Planning, you will be Suffolk County Council's principal professional adviser on planning matters and will provide strategic leadership across the Council's planning functions.
Working closely with elected Members, senior officers, district and borough councils, statutory agencies and key external partners, you will help shape the future of Suffolk and ensure planning supports the delivery of the Council's wider ambitions.
The role combines strategic leadership with professional expertise, requiring the ability to navigate complex planning issues, competing priorities and significant public interest.
Your role will include:
-
leading and developing Suffolk County Council's Planning Service
-
ensuring the effective delivery of the Council's statutory planning functions, including its role as Minerals and Waste Planning Authority
-
providing expert planning advice to Cabinet Members, Committees, senior leaders and councillors
-
leading the Council's engagement on major infrastructure and development proposals, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)
-
overseeing the preparation and review of Minerals and Waste Local Plans and associated planning policy documents
-
ensuring the Council secures appropriate infrastructure funding and developer contributions through planning obligations and related mechanisms
-
building strong partnerships with district and borough councils, Government agencies, infrastructure providers, developers and local communities
-
representing the Council at public examinations, hearings, inquiries and other formal proceedings
-
supporting the delivery of Suffolk's growth ambitions through strategic planning and integrated infrastructure planning
-
ensuring high standards of governance, financial management and service performance.
You will need
You will be an experienced planning professional with a strong record of leadership in a complex and politically sensitive environment.
You will bring:
-
significant experience of leading planning services or major planning functions
-
a comprehensive understanding of planning legislation, policy and practice
-
experience of managing complex and contentious planning matters
-
strong strategic thinking and sound professional judgement
-
excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
-
a collaborative approach and the ability to build effective partnerships across organisational boundaries
-
experience of working closely with elected Members and senior stakeholders
-
the credibility and confidence to represent the Council at the highest levels.
Essential Qualifications
-
A postgraduate qualification in Planning recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or an equivalent relevant qualification.
-
Chartered membership of the RTPI (or equivalent professional standing).
-
A demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development.
This is an opportunity to lead planning across a county facing some of the most significant opportunities and challenges in England.
From nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects to strategic housing growth, environmental enhancement, minerals and waste planning, and economic development, the decisions made over the coming years will shape Suffolk for generations.
As Head of Planning, you will play a leading role in delivering those outcomes while supporting the Council's wider priorities for growth, infrastructure, sustainability and community wellbeing. The role offers a broad and varied portfolio, significant strategic influence and the opportunity to work with partners across local government, business, communities and central government.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
You will lead a professional planning service operating across strategic planning, minerals and waste policy, development management, infrastructure planning and major projects. The service works at the heart of the Council's growth and infrastructure agenda and has a significant role in shaping future investment and development across Suffolk.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Rob Hancock or Shirley Brown for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling either Rob Hancock on 01473 264577 or emailing [email protected] or by calling Shirley Brown on 01473 265068 or emailing [email protected].
If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
1. Tell us about a time when you led a planning service or comparable professional function through a period of significant complexity, change or challenge. How did you set priorities, maintain performance and bring people with you?
2. Give an example of how you have managed competing priorities between economic growth, infrastructure delivery, environmental protection and community impact. How did you reach a defensible outcome?
3. Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a wide range of partners, such as district or borough councils, statutory consultees, community representatives, businesses or government bodies, to resolve a complex planning issue.
4. Tell us about a time when you successfully influenced or negotiated with developers, applicants or external organisations to secure better outcomes for infrastructure, communities or the environment.
5. Give an example of when you have been responsible for budget management, governance, statutory compliance or delegated decision-making in a senior role. How did you ensure decisions were lawful, transparent and financially sound?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 23 July 2026.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
