Planning Strategy Manager

• Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Up to £57,025 per annum, plus £5,000 market forces supplement reviewed annually (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
• Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities.

As our new Planning Strategy Manager, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special, including:

• Cooperating with varied stakeholders to deliver robust local plans.
• Reviewing and shaping minerals and waste policy.
• Securing infrastructure contributions for new communities.
• The promotion of healthy environments and inclusive growth.
• Engaging in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and the council’s own projects.
• Forming a smooth transition through Local Government Review and Devolution.

Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

Working within a County Council, you will be shaping the planning process to further the broad interests and duties of the Council. The role includes cooperating with varied stakeholders to deliver robust local plans, securing infrastructure contributions from new development, minerals and waste policy, engaging in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), the council’s own projects, and the promotion of healthy environments and inclusive growth.

Your Role And Responsibilities

• As Planning Strategy Manager, you will be working with a wide range of different professionals (internal and external) delivering sustainable development, creatively resolving problems, leading review of Minerals and Waste Plan and shaping the careers of colleagues to become professionally qualified.
• You will be managing a small but dedicated team working on programming and implementing the review of the Suffolk Minerals and Waste Plan, engaging with Suffolk’s Districts and Borough Council and the Broads Authority with their new local plans, neighbourhood plans, strategic sites and making positive improvements throughout the planning process for wider services such as adult care, transport and education.
• Providing strategic planning input within and outside the authority, including engaging with politicians, the public, and attending examinations in public and inquiries.

As our ideal candidate, you will have:

• Navigated complex and potentially contentious planning proposals through analysis of evidence.
• Prepared comprehensive reports for committees public examinations and inquiries.
• Supported the professional development and/or casework of junior colleagues.
• Sufficient experience to be, or already are, a Chartered Town Planner.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current planning policy and case law.
• Strong collaborative skills to develop innovative solutions with diverse stakeholders.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, such as if you have managed a team in another profession and have recently qualified, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be part of a small but busy team of planners and other professionals that determine the planning applications submitted to the County Council, monitor and form Minerals and Waste Planning Policy, secure developer contributions including s106 and CIL, engage with Local and Neighbourhood Plans, and provide the professional input throughout the different stages involved with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. While home working is possible, a lot of in-person interaction is necessary and authority expects staff to spend three days a week working at one of its offices, on site or attending other engagements.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).

For more information

Please contact James Cutting (He/Him) for a casual conversation by calling 01473 264803 or emailing james.cutting@suffolk.gov.uk.

How To Apply

1. Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).
2. Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
3. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (docx).

• Describe your experience in engaging and/or programming a review of a Local Plan. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• How would you approach forming effective working relationships with district/borough councils and the Broads to ensure alignment to deliver sustainable development?
• Tell us about your experience in securing infrastructure contributions from developers. What strategies have you found most effective?
• Describe a time when you had to provide or present evidence to a public examination or inquiry. How did you prepare and what was the outcome?

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 13 April 2025.

Interview date: 22 and 23 April 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day.

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).