ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Thursday 26 June 2026 at 11:55pm.
Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE .
Location: Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA
Hours: 35 hours per week
Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8:45am - 4:45pm and Friday 8:45am - 4:15pm
Salary: £54,783 - £59,911 annual salary
The Council has started preparation of its next Local Development Plan at a time of the significant transformation of the planning system. This includes the adoption by the Scottish Government of National Planning Framework 4 and the introduction of new style plans that will focus on the outcomes that they will deliver for people and places.
The Planning Service is seeking an enthusiastic team leader within its Policy team to deliver a Local Development Plan that will address a range of challenging issues including the climate emergency, the nature crisis and enabling sustainable development while meeting the needs of our diverse communities and reducing inequalities.
The post also involves managing the preparation of the Council's Open Space Strategy. You should have significant experience in developing planning policy documents and the management of the different strands of preparing a Local Development Plan. This includes being able to work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders by building good relationships throughout the plan preparation period; identifying and collating appropriate data; policy formulation; and the development and carrying out of a comprehensive engagement and consultation programme.
You will work closely with the Community Engagement team and the Council’s partners and stakeholders You should demonstrate excellent leadership and coaching skills. Customer focus and the ability to evidence experience in contributing to the delivery of solutions in line with business objectives are also key requirements for the post.
Co-ordinating the delivery of the planning services.
Researching, preparing, monitoring and review of Local Development Plans, Open Space Strategy and other statutory documents; data collection and analysis; providing advice and guidance on planning policy matters to area teams, other Council services and the Council’s partners and stakeholders; working in collaboration with other services, local communities and partners to deliver the Council’s aims and objectives.
Assisting in the co-ordination, preparation, and presentation of reports to Area, Planning and Community and Enterprise Resources Committees and, where appropriate, to other Resource Committees.
Leading, preparing and presenting the Council’s case at Planning Local Review Body, Appeals, Hearings and Public Inquiries; managing the Council’s planning enforcement function.
Working with the Executive Director, Head of Planning and Regulatory Services and Area Manager to achieve effective performance through work and performance monitoring/assessment, setting performance targets and conducting regular Employee Development interviews. To meet regularly with the Area Manager to review work progress and performance standards and targets and to appraise the Area Manager of current issues.
Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents
- Describe your experience in your planning career to date and how this makes you suitable for the post.(required)
- What skills and attributes do you consider necessary to be an effective manager and how would you apply these to the post.(required)
- What are the main challenges of preparing a new style Local Development Plan and, with reference to your experience, how can they be addressed.(required)
The Scottish Government places significant emphasis on the delivery of Local Development Plan’s and as such the Development Planning Team will move to project delivery going forward. How would you envisage the Development Planning Team taking a delivery role in implementing the next Local Development Plan and can you explain what your role would be as Team Leader in this regard?
If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.
Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address
Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.
Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.
Overseas Criminal Records Check
An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of twelve months in the past 10 years.
Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement
The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.
As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
- To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
- Up to 33 days annual leave
- Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
- Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
- Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)
