Overview

Our client is a prominent Local Authority based in Essex, seeking an experienced Assistant Director - Planning and Implementation - to join them on a contract basis.

They require strategic leadership to drive excellence across Planning and Building Control services. This is a high-profile leadership role shaping the borough’s built environment to deliver sustainable growth, high-quality urban design, and resident-focused service delivery. The post will have Chief Planning Officer responsibility and constitutional delegated authority for the functions delivered by two operational Heads of Service: Development Management, Enforcement & Building Control, Planning Policy & Local Development Plan, National Strategic Infrastructure projects (NSIPS), and Land Charges.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and manage a multi-skilled team responsible for council strategy and policy delivery, including Planning Policy, Enforcement, Conservation and Heritage, Building Control, Development Management and Technical Support.
• Own, develop and oversee the council's policies in key areas, solve problems and deliver an efficient, customer-focused service with high standards of professionalism.
• Be a trusted point of contact for engagement with Members to ensure sound relationships and prompt responses to issues and queries raised.
• Ensure effective cross-Council working to enable strategic achievement, collaboration, innovation, engagement and delivery of Council priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Applicants must have recently held a similar Assistant Director / Director level position in this field within a UK local authority.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Expertise in town planning, urban design, and development management within an urban context.
• Demonstrable experience of working at a strategic level and previous experience managing a large team.
• Note: Our client is seeking someone who has already operated at Assistant Director level for a local authority; they are not considering candidates stepping up from a lower level.

Contract Details

• Initial contract: 3 months.
• Rate: up to £800/day Umbrella. This role is inside IR35.
• Hybrid working: based in the office 2 days a week.

How to Apply

Please get in touch for further details.