Team Leader (Planning Policy)

Job introduction

Job title: Team Leader (Policy Planning)

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role:

To lead and manage the Planning Policy team and related resources to ensure effective service delivery and meeting targets including the preparation, review implementation and monitoring of the Liverpool Local Plan. Conserve the City’s heritage whilst enabling appropriate development across the City and to ensure the delivery of a modern, customer focussed, business friendly service. To deputise for the Head of Placemaking and Policy.

• The Team Leader will pro-actively support and deputise for the Head of Placemaking and Policy in a wide range of planning policy work and development, including the preparation, review, monitoring and examination of the Local Plan and supplementary planning documents

• The Team Leader will draft reports and presentations for City Council Cabinet meetings, Committees, Sub-Committees, Select Committees, and other meetings; and attend and contribute to meetings on planning matters with Members, senior management and staff from within and outside the Council

• The Team Leader will develop and effectively manage, alongside the Head of Placemaking and Policy the Policy team’s work programme

• The Team Leader will support and deputise for the Head of Placemaking and Policy in leading on specific major projects as agreed with the Director of Planning and Building Control

• The Team Leader will personally lead on the development, implementation and continuous improvement of corporate policies within the service

• The Team Leader will represent the Council as an expert witness at Public Inquiries/ and the Local Plan Examination hearings

• The Team Leader will provide policy advice/information in response to development management, area-based initiatives, small area local planning and other key enquiries

• The Team Leader will support, and deputise, for the Head of Placemaking and Policy with regard to the city region planning process

• The Team leader will ensure that the key processes for Local Plan and SPD production are undertaken including statutory, regulatory and technical requirements; continuous community involvement in accordance with the Statement of Community Involvement; and key appraisals and assessments including Sustainability Appraisal, SEA, Habitats Regulations Appraisal, Equality Impact Assessment and other appraisals and assessments; and Duty To Co-operate

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Next steps:
Closing date: Midnight on 27 October 2026
Shortlisting date: TBC
Interview date: TBC
Interview type: Face-to-face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Jane via jane.hayward@liverpool.gov.uk

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.