Head of Planning Policy & Environment

Overview

In this role you lead planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, urban design and heritage for Coventry. You will shape city growth through policy development, neighbourhood planning, and strong partnerships with communities and authorities. The position sits within the Planning Service and reports to senior leadership, driving performance and customer-focused service delivery. You will act as a strategic partner to elected members and external stakeholders, guiding sustainable and inclusive place-making.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary with incremental progression
• Generous annual leave 28 days+
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Inclusive Employee Networks: EmbRace, Pride, Disability, Young people, Women
• Employee Assistance Programme

Responsibilities

• Lead the production, review and implementation of planning policy, procedures and guidance
• Provide authoritative planning policy advice to Members, senior officers and stakeholders
• Drive engagement with residents, communities and partners on key planning matters
• Build effective partnerships with neighbouring authorities and external organisations
• Support and guide neighbourhood planning initiatives
• Lead a high-performing, customer-focused service
• Manage service budgets and identify income generation opportunities
• Develop, motivate and inspire a diverse professional team
• Deliver performance improvements and continuous service development
• Promote excellent customer service and effective complaint resolution

Key requirements

• Extensive knowledge of planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage
• Strong understanding of economic growth, regeneration and place-making
• Expertise in national and regional planning policy and legislative change
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences
• Experience of leading high-performing planning services
• Experience of working within a political environment and advising elected members and senior stakeholders
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, organisational change and multidisciplinary teams
• A relevant planning qualification and membership of a professional body such as RTPI

• leadership
• stakeholder management
• communication
• planning policy
• environmental protection
• ecology

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