Head of Planning

Head of Planning

Permanent - 37 hours per week

£70,696 - £78,532 per annum (Pay award pending)

Wychavon and Malvern Hills have an ambitious growth strategy, supported by the recently adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR).The Plan sets out a significant programme of growth, delivering over 20,000 homes and 300 hectares of employment land across the area over the next 15 years. This includes the delivery of a major new community at Wychavon Town (approximately 10,000 homes).Alongside this planned growth, the Councils are also progressing ambitious regeneration programmes for our town centres including Evesham and Droitwich Spa.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of some of the fastest growing districts in the West Midlands and helping to deliver sustainable communities supported by new infrastructure, employment opportunities and high-quality places.

We are looking for a Head of Planning to providestrategic leadership for the Council’s planning delivery functions including Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Planning Support, ensuring the effective coordination and integration of these services with wider planning, regeneration, infrastructure and growth activities.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will oversee the delivery of complex and high-profile development projects, working across organisational boundaries to remove barriers to delivery, coordinate infrastructure provision and secure investment.This will include working with development partners, landowners, registered providers, Homes England, government agencies and infrastructure providers to bring forward sustainable growth and regeneration opportunities.

Operating within a highly complex and politically sensitive environment, the postholder will provide clear, balanced and commercially aware professional advice to elected Members, senior officers and external stakeholders on matters of significant strategic importance, often involving competing priorities, substantial financial implications, high levels of public interest and reputational risk.Strong communication skills and the ability to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders are therefore essential, alongside a commitment to delivering an excellent and responsive planning service.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced planning professional to develop your career and broaden your experience within an award-winning, supportive and ambitious shared planning service.Our joint service was named RTPI West Midlands Local Planning Authority of the Year 2025, shortlisted in the national RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, and shortlisted for Local Authority Planning Team of the Year at the 2026 Awards.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• Comprehensive and up to date knowledge of planning law and practice
• Degree level education, with a recognised qualification in town planning, as well as full RTPI Membership.
• Experience of delivering complex regeneration schemes and major developments.
• Understanding / application of relevant case law and the ability to balance commercial, planning, legal and political considerations when formulating recommendations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Leadership and management experience, with an ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Good computer literacy and be able to use MS Office, property databases and GIS systems.
• An appreciation of good design, the ability to negotiate planning obligations within tight deadlines.
• Outstanding customer care and a commitment to supporting performance improvement.

You will be required to attend Planning Committee meetings where necessary and undertake site visits so flexibility, a full driving licence and use of a car is essential. You will also need to be able to travel throughout the districts.

The role is required to be based at either the Council House, Malvern, or the Civic Centre, Pershore. If you have a preference in your base location, please detail this in your application to be considered. Please note, regular attendance at both of our offices will be required.

What we can offer

Our staff are at the heart of what we do and are key to ensuring we deliver Our Council Plan (attached) to make a positive difference to our communities, our economy and our environment. We are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find. So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as:

• Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave

• Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions

• Committed training programme and development opportunities

• Onsite nursery with 20% staff discount (Pershore office)

• Discounted Gym and swim membership

• Health and Wellbeing support and a Free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Employee Discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme.

We are an employer that values face to face communication, collaboration and connection, therefore all our roles have an office-based requirement with some agile working as part of the role.

Please note: Malvern Hills District Council does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

To discuss the post or for further information, please call Ian Macleod, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, on07823 535035.

Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 14 July 2026

Please note: If we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.