Our Organisation

The Borough of Gravesham, situated in the northwest corner of Kent, covers 25,000 acres of the most varied countryside in southeast England.

Centrally located in the Thames Gateway, Gravesham Borough Council provides a range of services to over 106,000 people and 4,000 businesses.

Bordered by the River Thames to the north, Gravesham is at the heart of Thames Gateway and with an extensive physical regeneration programme, the Lower Thames Crossing NSIP and Ebbsfleet Garden City within the borough, the council has a significant role to play in the development and regeneration of a major government growth area.

The council is committed to delivering for the community and this Assistant Director role will be at the heart of managing the council’s planning service to support level of development, regeneration, growth and improvement our community needs and deserves.

The Role

The Assistant Director (Planning) post provides an exciting opportunity for someone to join our ambitious council at a pivotal time – we already have a number of major regeneration projects in the pipeline that have already been through or are currently going through the planning process.  We’re looking for someone to play a key role in leading our Planning service to deliver the council’s Local Plan and support the whole planning team in meeting the exciting demands of the scale of development in our borough.

With Gravesend being just 22 minutes from central London via the high-speed rail link, the opportunities for the borough are huge.

As a strategic leader you will work with senior colleagues across the organisation to help deliver corporate objectives, reinforcing Gravesham as a great place to live, work, invest in and visit.  You will be a member of the council’s Wider Management Team and will work closely with our leadership team.

You will be responsible for the direction and overall management of the council’s Planning team covering Planning Policy, Development Management and Planning Enforcement.  You will also play an integral part in driving forward and delivering key objectives and priorities set out in the council’s Corporate Plan.  We want your expertise and innovation to be at the forefront of taking our Planning service forward to ensure that local people benefit directly from new development and growth,

We’re looking for someone, ideally with private sector experience, who is a great communicator and who can represent the council and work with partners, stakeholders, government and its agencies to support appropriate development and regeneration within the borough.  

Key Responsibilities

To ensure there is a clear strategic vision for Planning which accords with the vision set out in the council’s Corporate Plan.

To be proactive in promoting the vision and objectives of the Planning service, internally and externally and to develop effective working relationships with key partners and stakeholders.

Accountable for the delivery of the council’s Local Plan, ensuring that it is delivered in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner.

To provide strategic leadership for the direction and overall management of the council’s Planning service.

To develop a performance culture throughout the Planning service focusing on the timely delivery of key objectives for the department.

To work across Directorates to help develop and promote the council’s brand and Gravesham’s sense of place and to represent the council at local and national meetings and to promote the interests of the council in all areas of the postholder’s work.

Essential and Desirable qualifications/experience

Full details can be found on the job description/person specification attached.

In return we offer you:

• 28 Days Annual Leave, plus paid bank holidays.
• Membership to Local Government Pension Scheme - Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to over 1000+ instant discounts from favourite retailers, restaurants, food delivery services and attractions via our benefits portal Vivup.
• Career development, training opportunities and access to e-learning
• Access to eye care vouchers and VDU Glasses
• External Occupational Health service
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to an employee assistance programme 24/7
• Hybrid Working (minimum two days in the office per week)
• Free parking

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager call Nick Brown, Director (Environment) and Deputy Chief Executive on 01474 337319.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job description.

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Gravesham Borough Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.  All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.