Lancashire County Council is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our School Place Planning Service as Principal Housing Officer. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing the Council’s countywide Developer Education Contribution Programme, ensuring that housing growth is supported by the right educational infrastructure and that sufficient school places are available for Lancashire’s children and young people. Working at the interface of education, planning, housing and infrastructure, you will lead the Council’s response to housing growth, influence Local Plans and major developments, and secure investment through developer contributions to support the delivery of school places across the county., Reporting to the School Planning Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for the Council’s education developer contribution programme and oversee the delivery of work that supports school place sufficiency across Lancashire. You will lead engagement with district planning authorities, developers, consultants and elected members, ensuring that education infrastructure requirements are appropriately identified, evidenced and secured through the planning process. The role combines strategic planning, financial and programme management, stakeholder engagement and leadership responsibility, including direct management of a member of staff., As Principal Housing Officer, you will:
- Lead the delivery of Lancashire County Council’s Developer Education Contribution Programme.
- Maximise education contributions from housing developments to ensure sufficient school places are available to meet demand arising from growth.
- Lead on the analysis of long-term school place requirements and housing growth forecasts.
- Coordinate and influence the Council’s response to Local Plans, strategic planning documents and major development proposals.
- Provide expert advice on planning legislation, policy and developer contributions.
- Manage the delivery of service objectives through effective project, legal and financial management.
- Lead the preparation and management of the Infrastructure Funding Statement and associated reporting requirements.
- Oversee the negotiation and monitoring of Section 106 Agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions where applicable.
- Commission and oversee feasibility assessments and other specialist work to support infrastructure planning.
- Ensure management information systems remain robust, effective and fit for purpose.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, innovation and efficiency across the service.
- Develop and manage partnerships with district councils, planning authorities, developers, consultants and internal stakeholders.
- Represent Lancashire County Council at planning hearings, examinations and formal meetings where required.
- Lead, support and develop team members through coaching, mentoring and performance management.
We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate substantial experience in planning, education infrastructure, housing growth, development management or a related professional field.
You will be:
- An experienced leader with the ability to manage complex programmes and competing priorities.
- Highly skilled in stakeholder management and partnership working.
- Comfortable operating within a political environment.
- Able to influence decision-making at senior levels.
- Confident in presenting, negotiating and defending professional advice.
- Experienced in financial management and governance.
- Passionate about delivering positive outcomes for Lancashire communities.
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a ‘disclosure’. Further information can be found on the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ tab.
In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website. Local Government Reorganisation The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2029. If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2029, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation. Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you’ll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Extensive learning and development opportunities
- Access to leadership development programmes
- The opportunity to shape strategic education infrastructure planning across Lancashire
- A challenging and rewarding leadership role with significant impact on local communities
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