Planning Service Manager (Development Management)

About the Role

Are you a leader with a passion for inspiring planning officers to deliver sustainable development as part of a high performing team? We are seeking a Service Manager -Development Management to join our team at North East Derbyshire District Council.

In this high profile role, you will be lead the Development Management Service, a committed team of officers who are open to new ways of working and have a strong track record in relation to the speed and quality of decision making.

The team has embraced significant changes to the way we work in recent times, including the adoption of a new pre-application advice service, the use of Planning Performance Agreements and a partnership with Design: Midlands to increase the quality of schemes submitted at the formal application stage.

There is a lot more to do, however and this is your opportunity to drive the next phase of service transformation. We have a supportive culture and a collaborative approach to change management. You will therefore need the skills to bring the team with you and be open to the ideas of others whilst leading service improvements.

The Planning Service is involved in a number of national pilot schemes, including the Proptech Innovation Fund and the Planning Skills Delivery Fund. Promoting the positive impact of Development Management across the Council and with external stakeholders will be a vital part of this role.

The Service is leading on a number of corporate priorities. The Local Plan review is underway and you will play a key role in making sure that the Development Management team add value to this process. There are major regeneration projects in the pipeline, including those affecting heritage assets and the Green Belt. Supporting the experienced officers who will be managing these cases will be an important part of this role.

We have a genuine ‘One Team’ approach here at North East Derbyshire. This is not just a slogan, it is a way of working that recognises that we will deliver far better outcomes for residents if we see the ‘bigger picture’ and work together. This approach fosters people who have bold ideas, seize the initiative and have a determination to push things forward. If this sounds like you, we would very much welcome your application!

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant Development Management experience – including handling strategic scale development applications and appeals;
• Has experience of managing a team, fostering a positive culture and achieving high performance;
• Is able to inspire and motivate people to develop themselves and contribute to a collaborative approach to service improvement;
• Has the skills and determination required to develop positive relationships with Councillors, other senior managers and key stakeholders;
• Has the ability to connect the strategic priorities of the Council with the operational management of the Development Management Service and to secure the buy in of all members of the team.
• Takes ownership of issues that need to be addressed, ensuring that lessons are learned in a positive manner and continuous improvement is a key objective of the Service.

In return the Council offer:

• A supportive and collaborative working environment. Please take a look People Strategy: One Team People Strategy - North East Derbyshire District Council
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Flexible working arrangement, up to 35 days annual leave and a strong focus on work-life balance.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and other employee benefits.

Join us and help shape the future of our District – where your leadership can make a lasting impact.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact David Thompson (Assistant Director, Planning) David.Thompson@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk, Tel: 01246 217174 or 07779 429226

Please apply using the online application on our dedicated webpage on Derbyshire Jobs at: https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/jobs/working-for-us/why-work-for-the-council or via Derbyshire - Jobs and Careers by clicking ‘Apply for this job’ and creating an account. You can save your progress and exit the application at any time, coming back to it at a later stage to complete and submit your application. Applications close midnight 6th April 2026

Please read the Guidance Notes provided before completing any application and please note that CV’s will not be accepted.

If you do not have internet access, you can request an offline application pack by emailing: Human.Resources@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.