Director of Place Transformation

Transform the future of Hertsmere. Lead with purpose. Deliver lasting impact.

Located in south Hertfordshire, just outside London, Hertsmere is a borough rich in diversity, culture, and opportunity. Home to around 109,000 residents, our communities are vibrant, resilient, and proud of where they live. With excellent transport links, green spaces, and a strong local economy — including film and creative industries — Hertsmere is a unique and exciting place to live and work.

As we continue to shape our communities for the future, we’re seeking a visionary Director of Place Transformation to help drive forward our strategic ambitions and ensure Hertsmere remains a great place to live, work, and visit.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive and playing a pivotal role in shaping the borough’s long-term prosperity, sustainability, and resilience.

About the role

As our new Director of Place Transformation, you will lead a wide-ranging high profile portfolio covering:

• Planning, Economic Development and Climate Change – overseeing the implementation of our new Local Plan, enabling sustainable growth and investment.
• Asset Management and Engineering Services – overseeing the delivery of a new Asset Management Strategy to maximise value from our property portfolio.
• Environmental Health, Licensing and Resilience – ensuring strong foundations for community well-being and emergency preparedness.
• Housing Strategy and Services – delivering innovative housing solutions, supporting affordable provision, and managing partnerships such as Hertsmere Living Ltd.

This is more than a leadership role – it’s a chance to make a tangible difference. You will play a critical role in delivering our place-based transformation agenda, driving forward regeneration, housing delivery, climate action, and service excellence. You will also contribute corporately, shaping our strategic direction, embedding a high-performance culture, and leading key transformation projects.

Who we’re looking for

You will be a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with significant experience operating at a senior level, ideally within a public sector environment. Whether your professional roots lie in planning or property, you will bring:

• Professional expertise in either Planning or Property with a deep understanding of the local government landscape.
• A proven track record in strategic transformation, cultural change, and delivering customer-focused services.
• Strong financial acumen and experience driving value for money and sustainable resource management.
• Exceptional leadership and people skills, with the ability to inspire, influence, and build high-performing teams.
• Political awareness, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative style that enables effective partnership working across sectors and with elected Members.

You will be as comfortable shaping long-term strategy as you are leading through complexity and change. Most importantly, you will be motivated by making a difference – for our people, our places, and our communities.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary and generous benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements with a focus on work life balance
• The opportunity to shape and influence the future of the borough
• A dynamic and supportive Senior Leadership Team
• An inclusive working culture that champions wellbeing, innovation, and professional growth.

Be part of Hertsmere’s next chapter

If you are ready to take on a transformative leadership role with real impact, we want to hear from you.

Find out more information about this exciting opportunity here:

Director of Place Transformation - Hertsmere Borough Council

Closing date: Sunday 18th May, 11.59pm
1st interviews - Tuesday 27th - Wednesday 28th May; Final interviews - Thursday 5th June

No Agencies - Only direct applications will be considered