Interim Head of Planning

Job description

The Vacancy

Lead Officer - Development Management

Grade 11 ¦ Permanent

Shape places. Enable growth. Lead planning excellence.

North Lincolnshire is an ambitious place with significant opportunities for growth, regeneration and investment. We are seeking an exceptional planning professional to lead our award-winning Development Management Team and help shape the future growth of North Lincolnshire.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a busy, high-performing service, ensuring the effective determination of planning applications and supporting the delivery of sustainable development in line with the council's priorities and Local Plan.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and manage the Development Management Service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality planning outcomes.
• Oversee the effective delivery of statutory planning functions and the timely determination of planning applications.
• Provide expert planning advice to elected members, senior officers and stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations on major developments, planning obligations and infrastructure contributions.
• Represent the council at planning committees, hearings, inquiries and examinations.
• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing planning team, fostering a positive and customer-focused culture.
• Drive service improvement, innovation and performance.
• Support the delivery of sustainable growth, regeneration and investment across North Lincolnshire.
• Deputise for the Head of Planning when required and represent the council at local, regional and national forums.

What We Are Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Management qualification or significant management experience.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within Development Management.
• Experience leading and managing professional planning teams.
• Strong understanding of planning legislation and practice.
• Experience managing complex planning applications and major developments.
• Experience of working within a political environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and build effective partnerships.
• Ability to travel throughout North Lincolnshire in a timely manner.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of North Lincolnshire, leading a talented team as we strengthen our planning service and support investment, regeneration and sustainable development across our communities.

We offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Relocation package.
• Minimum 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• BHSF health and wellbeing benefits.
• Pluxee employee benefits platform.
• Cycle to Work and Tusker salary sacrifice schemes.
• Free onsite parking.
• Comprehensive induction and onboarding support.
• Ongoing learning, development and career progression opportunities.

One Council. One Place. One Family. One Purpose.

Inclusive Employer

North Lincolnshire Council is committed to being an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are proud to create a working environment where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rebecca Brown, Head of Planning at [email protected].

Please refer to the job description and employee specification when completing your application and demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Candidates must be able to evidence their right to work in the UK. Please note the council does not hold a sponsor licence to sponsor people to work in the UK.

Closing Date: 8 November 2026
Interview Date: 20 November 2026

Candidates must be able to evidence their right to work in the UK. Please note the council does not hold a sponsor licence to sponsor people to work in the UK.

The Council

We are collectively organised around the people and place of North Lincolnshire. Together we ensure that our communities are safe, well, prosperous and connected. We are ambitious for North Lincolnshire, we want our area to be the #BestPlace for our residents by being the #BestCouncil we can be. We achieve this through living our values - equality of opportunity, excellence, integrity and self-responsibility - in all that we do.

The Benefits

Staff discounts

Annual leave

Access to pensions

Salary sacrifice
schemes

Free car parking

Eye test and glasses reimbursements