A Nottinghamshire Local Authority is seeking an experienced Planning Policy professional to provide interim leadership to its Planning Policy team from mid-to-late October 2026 through to 31 March 2027.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to take a senior role at a critical stage of the Council's Local Plan Partial Update, with the hearing sessions currently underway.
The Role:
As Interim Planning Policy Team Leader, you will lead a small, professional Planning Policy team and take responsibility for progressing the Local Plan through the post-examination process, following the conclusion of the hearing sessions.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the Local Plan Partial Update through the Examination process
- Managing the post-hearing programme, including Main Modifications consultation
- Coordinating responses to representations and supporting activities required to secure Plan adoption
- Providing strategic planning advice to senior officers and elected Members
- Leading and supporting a small Planning Policy team
- Ensuring delivery of the Council's statutory planning policy functions
- Overseeing key evidence and monitoring documents, including:
- Five-Year Housing Land Supply
- Infrastructure Funding Statement
- Authority Monitoring
- Other associated policy projects
- Managing competing priorities, project milestones and statutory deadlines
About You:
We are looking for an experienced Planning Policy professional with a strong track record in Local Plan preparation and examination.
You will ideally have:
- Significant experience in Planning Policy and Local Plan preparation
- Proven experience leading Local Plan examinations and post-hearing processes
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- The ability to work autonomously and provide credible strategic advice to senior officers and elected Members
- Excellent project management and organisational skills
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and work to challenging statutory deadlines
- RTPI membership - Chartered status preferred
Contract Details:
- Role: Interim Planning Policy Team Leader
- Location: Nottinghamshire
- Start: Mid-to-late October 2026
- End: 31 March 2027
- Hours: 30-37 hours per week
- IR35: Inside IR35
- Working pattern: Hybrid
- Office attendance: Typically one day per week, normally Thursdays
- Remaining hours: Remote working
This is a particularly good opportunity for an experienced Planning Policy Manager, Principal Planning Policy Officer or Local Plan specialist who has recent examination experience and is comfortable take ownership of a team and a Local Plan at a critical stage.
If you are interested in this role, please click on apply below, or email me your CV or feel free to call me on the number below with any questions or queries.
Thanks
Steve
