Chief Planning Officer

• 2-3 days in the office per month (anywhere worker)
• at the offices in Chelmsford or nearby locations
• within the People, Policy, Economy and Public Health function

You will be the lead officer at the council’s Planning Committee, and lead two teams within the Planning and Sustainable Development Service.

Balancing a broad range of fascinating projects which will exponentially enhance the local area, you will be a trusted advisor to elected members, who will look to you for high quality guidance.

As such, half of your role will be focused on our Minerals and Waste Policy, in which you will take responsibility for maintaining the progress of our Minerals Local Plan review. Whether commissioning specialist resources to support planning activity or guiding the team in devising evidence-based recommendations, you will ensure that our ambitious plans are realistic and achievable.

The other half of your role will see you guiding the Development Management team that looks after planning applications relating to quarries, waste proposals, strategic county infrastructure projects and so forth. Intervening in the most complex development, enforcement and infrastructure negotiations, you will strive to improve the quality of application responses and ensure all planning decisions are robust. 

With colleagues across the organisation looking to you for guidance, this is an exceptional opportunity to take your career to the next level. You will also manage the Council’s corporate response to strategically important infrastructure planning applications, there will be plenty of variety in the projects you’re tackling, plus the chance to work at the highest levels.

Why Essex?

We are ambitious and a place to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. Essex is home to England’s oldest town, Colchester, and the two post-war new towns– Basildon and Harlow. Along with the City of Chelmsford, our county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for advancing your career.

Read more about us here.

To make the most of this career-defining role, you will be an inspirational leader with good project management skills.

As someone who enjoys coming up with innovative solutions to complex problems, you will bring plenty of tenacity and resilience to every challenge, plus a can-do mindset. With the ability to inspire confidence in the Planning Committee members, you will have exceptional communication, influencing and negotiating skills. We are always looking to develop the skills of our team, so you will also be keen to mentor your colleagues and help them develop their professional capabilities.

From a practical point of view, we are looking for an experienced and qualified planning professional who holds Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).

We are looking for someone who has experience and leadership in minerals and waste policy, and Development Management.

It also would be ideal if you have undergone recognised leadership training. We will work with you to develop these skills, as long as you are an inspirational leader who is keen to learn. Above all else, you will need to be focused on improving the lives of Essex’s residents, and you will be passionate about helping Essex fulfil its full potential.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area, so you will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

• £71,036 per annum salary
• 6.5% pension contribution (LGP scheme)
• 27 days holiday (with the option to purchase additional days)
• 4 days of volunteering leave

This is a permanent role (37 hour week) but a two year secondment will also be considered, 

Applications are made directly through the councils career site portal.

The application process includes submitting your CV and a cover letter.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk