Essex County Council Chief Planning Officer
Salary: up to £71,036 per annum
Closing date: 15 Apr 2025
Location: Chelmsford/Hybrid
Permanent (up to 2 year secondment also considered), Full Time (37 hours per week)
Working Style: Anywhere worker - attendance in the Chelmsford office or functional work locations expected to be 2-3 days per month on average, depending on business need.
Help us define the future of Essex
Essex County Council is a unique place in which to explore your potential. As one of the largest county councils in the country, we have a significant growth agenda. We must think to the future to accommodate our burgeoning population, and as such, we must source the aggregates and resources that we need to secure a great quality of life for our local residents. From new schools and new homes to mixed-use schemes and libraries, we must consider every aspect of what our community will need to thrive across the next 20 to 30 years – and it is here that you could find an exceptional challenge.
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 enhance the local area, you will be a trusted advisor to elected members, who will look to you for high quality guidance.
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, providing plenty of variety in the projects you’re tackling.
To excel in this role, you will be an inspirational leader with good project management skills. You will bring 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. You will 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). Experience and leadership in minerals and waste policy, and Development Management is essential. Recognised leadership training is ideal. Above all else, you will need to be focused on improving the lives of Essex’s residents and passionate about helping Essex fulfil its full potential.
In turn, we can offer you a highly competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave (with the option to purchase additional days), access to our desirable Local Government Pension Scheme, life assurance, and up to 4 days of volunteering leave – plus a range of staff discounts. You will also find lifestyle-friendly flexible working options, including the chance to apply for this role as a secondment opportunity.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder 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.
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.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Essex County Council values integrity and ethical behaviour. As part of our team, we kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, not only during the recruitment process but also throughout your time with us. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
What you should do next
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please apply via the Working for Essex website.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events, and industry-related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here. If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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