Development Management Team Leader

We’re growing our Development Management team and have an exciting opportunity for a Team Leader to join us at this pivotal moment.

With the upcoming adoption of the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan and the Town Centre Plan, we’re preparing for a busy and rewarding phase — and we’re looking for an experienced planning professional who’s ready to take on a leadership role.

Why this role?

You’ll lead a dedicated team of seven officers, working alongside another Team Leader and reporting to the Development Manager. This is a chance to shape and support some of the borough’s most significant developments — including major allocated sites — while guiding and mentoring a talented team.

You’ll be involved in:

• Allocating caseloads and managing your own planning applications
• Overseeing performance, outputs and report writing
• Attending and presenting at committee meetings (some outside standard office hours)
• Helping ensure we meet performance targets and maintain high-quality, consistent decisions

What we’re looking for:

• Experience supervising or mentoring others in a planning or development management setting
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style
• A passion for delivering good design and positive planning outcomes

We’ll support your growth with training, coaching and mentoring — because we believe in developing our people.

This is a politically restricted post

What we offer:

• Financial: An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure. In addition to your salary, receive a sign-on payment of £5,000 (50% paid on completion of probation and 50% at 18 months) This is for new staff joiners to TWBC, not internal applicants.
• Holiday Entitlement: 26 days annual leave (increasing to 29 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
• Free staff parking.
• Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%.
• Hybrid: The Council operates a hybrid working model with minimum 2 days working in the office.
• Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Take a look here at all the additional benefits that we offer.

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.