Service Director – Planning and Transport (Interim)
Hours: 37 Hours Per Week
Contract: Temporary Contract
Start Date: ASAP – 7 September 2026
Contract End Date: 2 November 2026
Location: Floor 2, Gateshead Council Civic Centre, NE8 1HH
Work Pattern: Monday to Friday
We're recruiting a Service Director – Planning and Transport (Interim) to provide strategic leadership across planning, transport, building control and associated environmental services at Gateshead Council. This is a senior leadership role, ideal for an experienced professional with extensive local government or equivalent senior leadership experience and a strong track record of delivering strategic services, transformation and major programmes.
About the Role
As Service Director – Planning and Transport, you'll provide strategic leadership and direction across a broad range of planning, transport, environmental and regulatory services. As a member of the senior leadership team, you'll contribute to the Council's strategic direction and delivery of its Thrive agenda.
You'll lead strategic planning, transport and climate change policy and service delivery, oversee the development and delivery of the Local Plan, and provide strategic oversight of major infrastructure, capital investment, environmental and sustainable development priorities.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing strategic leadership for planning, transport, building control and associated environmental services
- Contributing to the Council's strategic direction and Thrive agenda as a member of the senior leadership team
- Leading strategic planning, transport and climate change policy and service delivery
- Leading the development and delivery of the Local Plan and associated statutory planning requirements
- Overseeing strategic transport policy, engineering design, network management and Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) responsibilities
- Leading initiatives supporting housing delivery, infrastructure investment, economic growth and sustainable development
- Providing strategic oversight of climate change, environmental management and related priorities
- Leading major projects and delivering relevant elements of the Council's capital programme
- Managing a significant capital programme, including approximately £50 million of investment and future Transport for City Regions programmes of more than £100 million between 2027 and 2032
- Providing strategic oversight of highway assets valued at approximately £1.872 billion
- Leading approximately 15 specialist teams across planning, transport, engineering, environment, climate change, biodiversity, heritage, infrastructure and regulatory services
- Representing Gateshead at regional and national level on planning, transport, environmental and climate matters
- Developing effective relationships with elected Members, strategic partners, developers, statutory agencies and regional bodies
- Negotiating with the Mayoral Strategic Authority and regional partners on planning, transport and environmental matters
- Providing strategic advice, reports and recommendations to Members, committees, portfolio holders, boards and partnership groups
- Leading relevant portfolio and planning committees, including transport and planning responsibilities
- Overseeing emergency planning arrangements for regulatory, transport and flooding services
- Developing and delivering the service business plan, policy framework, performance arrangements, business continuity and risk management
- Managing employees, budgets, assets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and strong workforce engagement
- Leading organisational change, service improvement and modernisation across the service
- Developing long-term strategies and plans, including the NewcastleGateshead Local Plan and wider spatial development strategies
- Responding to media enquiries in consultation with the Council's Communications Team
Requirements
We're looking for an experienced senior leader who is strategic, influential and confident operating within a politically led local authority environment.
You'll ideally have:
- A relevant professional qualification or extensive equivalent senior leadership experience
- Extensive senior-level experience in planning, transport, environmental services or a closely related field
- Proven experience leading complex services within a local authority or similarly complex organisation
- A strong track record of delivering organisational change, transformation and service improvement
- Significant experience in strategic planning, policy development and service delivery
- Senior management and substantial budget management experience
- Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary teams and major programmes or projects
- Experience working effectively with elected Members, political leadership and senior stakeholders
- Strong knowledge of local government legislation, governance, committees and procedures
- Current knowledge of relevant national planning, transport, environmental and climate change policies
- Strong strategic thinking, influencing, negotiation and partnership-building skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience managing consultation processes
- Experience managing cross-boundary issues and working with regional and strategic partners
- Ability to provide high-quality strategic advice and, where required, give evidence or act as an expert witness
- Proven ability to manage risk, performance, resources and service delivery in a complex environment
Nice-to-Have Requirements
- Experience managing large-scale capital programmes and infrastructure investment
- Experience of development finance and supporting housing and economic growth
- Experience working with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and regional transport bodies
- Experience of media engagement and handling press enquiries
- Experience leading portfolio, planning or partnership boards
- Knowledge of climate change, flooding, biodiversity, heritage or related environmental disciplines
- Experience developing long-term spatial, planning or infrastructure strategies
- Experience managing trade union engagement and complex workforce issues
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to provide strategic leadership across a broad and high-profile service area
- Opportunity to influence planning, transport, infrastructure, housing, environmental and climate priorities
- Lead significant capital investment and major programmes
- Work directly with elected Members, regional partners and strategic stakeholders
- Opportunity to contribute to the Council's Thrive agenda and long-term strategic direction
- Senior interim leadership opportunity within a complex local authority environment
Benefits
- Weekly Pay
- Company Pension
- Ongoing Agency Support
- Senior Interim Leadership Opportunity
Pay Rate
PAYE: £53.28 per hour
Additional Information
Candidate Requirements
- Full CV Required
- Candidate's Current Address Must Be Provided
- Selection Process: CV Review Followed by Interview
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Business Casual Working Environment
- Ability to Operate Effectively Within a Politically Led Local Authority Environment
- Ability to Work Collaboratively Across Council Services
Job Reference: 5303937
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: £53.28 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- Do you have significant experience in strategic planning, policy development and service delivery?
- Do you have substantial budget management experience, including responsibility for significant capital or revenue budgets?
- Do you have experience working with regional partners, Mayoral Strategic Authorities, transport bodies, statutory agencies or other strategic organisations?
Experience:
- planning, transport, environmental services: 3 years (required)
- Building Control: 1 year (required)
- senior leadership: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full UK Driving License (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gateshead NE8
