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Head of Planning Policy & Environment

Salary: SM2 (Senior Management Scale)

Location: Friargate, Coventry

Service: Planning

Employer: Coventry City Council

Shape the Future of Coventry

Coventry is a city with ambition. As we continue to deliver sustainable growth, regeneration and high-quality place-making, we are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Planning Service as Head of Planning Policy & Environment. This is a key strategic role leading planning policy, environmental protection, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, urban design and heritage functions across the city.

Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, communities and external partners, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Coventry's future, ensuring that growth is sustainable, inclusive and aligned with the Council's ambitions. You will also deputise for the Strategic Lead for Planning when required.

About the Role

As Head of Planning Policy & Environment, you will:

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.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who can inspire confidence and deliver results in a complex environment.

You will be able to demonstrate:

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.

The ability to communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of 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 an appropriate professional body, such as the RTPI.

Why Join Coventry City Council?

At Coventry City Council, our One Coventry values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being:

Open and fair

Nurturing and developing

Engaging and empowering

Creating and innovating

Owning and being accountable

Valuing and respecting diversity and inclusion

We offer the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the UK's most ambitious cities while working alongside talented colleagues dedicated to delivering outstanding services for residents.

Key Relationships

You will work closely with:

Internal stakeholders: Elected Members, Strategic Lead for Planning, Planning Management Team, senior officers and colleagues across the Council.

External stakeholders: Residents, local communities, MPs, developers, investors, neighbouring authorities, professional bodies and external partners.

Our Commitment

Coventry City Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join us and help shape a greener, more sustainable and prosperous Coventry for the future.

What we offer?

At Coventry City Council, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development, and work-life balance:

Competitive salary with incremental progression and salary matching

Generous annual leave starting at 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays) with option to purchase more and rising to 33 days following 5 years service.

Generous local government pension scheme to help plan for your future

Lifestyle discounts across a wide range of activities and retailers

Flexible working arrangements to support your personal and professional needs

Inclusive Employee Networks: EmbRace, Pride, Disability, Young people, and Women

Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support

Certified training courses to help you grow and thrive

Explore the full range of benefits at #MyRewards – Coventry City Council

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans

Are currently in care or have previously been in care

If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We recognise that you might use AI tools to help with your application. While these tools can be useful, please make sure that all information you provide about your experience, skills, and qualifications is accurate. What matters most to us is hearing about your experience and the achievements that truly reflect you!

Different backgrounds. One goal. Real impact.

At Coventry, we're building a workforce that reflects our diverse communities. Guided by our One Coventry Values, we celebrate inclusion, diversity of thought, and lived experience.

We especially welcome applicants from minority ethnic/global majority, LGBT+, those with a disability, and neurodiverse backgrounds – your voice can help shape a fairer future for our residents. Find out more here - https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Our Values