Job Title: Design & Planning Manager Location: North Midlands Region Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 Package: Car Grade 4 (£5,200), 5% Bonus Job Summary: Our client, a leading house builder in the North Midlands region, is seeking an experienced Design & Planning Manager. This role is pivotal in delivering high-quality designs and securing commercially viable planning permissions. You will lead, develop, and motivate a team of Design and Planning Executives, coordinating activities between sites, internal departments, and external stakeholders to support planning applications and design packages for the region. Primary Responsibilities: Health, Safety & Environment: Carry out training as Principal Designer, identifying foreseeable risks in designs and mitigating them in line with company policy. Ensure compliance with CDM/EMS processes throughout the design and site lifecycle. Maintain awareness of environmental, ecological, and noise constraints, implementing mitigation strategies to align with the Regional Programme. Support the design team in implementing CDM/EMS processes, ensuring all team members complete required H&S training. Land, Planning & Community Engagement: Lead internal and external meetings to prepare planning submissions. Oversee preparation of working drawings for residential and non-residential projects, coordinating with external consultants. Manage house type portfolios, elevation treatments, and design criteria with a commercial focus. Host community engagement consultations to support planning applications. Negotiate commercially viable contributions with authorities and manage planning conditions to align with project timelines. Evaluate development opportunities and provide design support throughout the planning and building regulation process. Build and maintain a network of external stakeholders to support statutory approvals. Pre-Development Management: Support the team in preparing for key meetings as required by the Operational Framework. Ensure comprehensive, coordinated working drawing packages are prepared for tender and construction. Review tender queries, value engineering proposals, and manage fees budget effectively. Ensure structural assessments are conducted by approved consultants and liaise with statutory authorities to achieve project objectives. Implement quality management processes to meet business expectations. Development Management: Provide design support during site development, managing design cost excesses and resolving site queries. Ensure compliance with building regulations, NHBC conditions, and CDM/EMS site procedures. Coordinate with stakeholders to prevent conflicts during construction and support the team in managing development-related design issues. Maintain external networks with key industry stakeholders to influence decisions and outcomes. What We Offer: Our client is committed to supporting your growth and development. Alongside a competitive salary and benefits package, you will enjoy: Excellent retail discounts, company-funded life insurance, and private healthcare. Access to a quality pension scheme with company contributions. Discounted house purchase schemes, car leasing options, and share plans. Opportunities to tailor your benefits, including additional annual leave and family coverage. Industry-leading training and development programs to support your career growth. Experience, Qualifications, and Technical Requirements: Degree-level qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience in the technical/architectural sector within housebuilding. Proven experience in the housebuilding industry with the ability to manage designs for multiple planning applications. Strong leadership skills with the capability to develop and manage a high-performing team. Inclusivity Statement: Our client is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. They welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions, ensuring that barriers to employment are removed. Applicants who meet the minimum role requirements and disclose a disability will be guaranteed an interview. If you're ready to do meaningful work and build a lasting career, join our client in shaping the future of housebuilding in the North Midlands region. ADZN1_UKTJ