Head of Planning
| Posting date: | 25 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £74,812 per annum (more can be considered for exceptional candidates) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 August 2025 |
| Location: | Havant, PO9 2AX |
| Company: | Havant Borough & East Hampshire District Councils |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 151 |
Summary
Job Advert
Havant Borough Council are looking for a strong, strategic leader, to further the ambitions of the Council in the critical area of
planning and development management.
Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will provide strategic leadership and oversight for planning policy,
development management, and planning enforcement, to support the managers of those services. They will also work with internal
teams, Councillors and external stakeholders, on the establishment of long term and constructive relationships, which will
facilitate delivery of council wide ambitions for regeneration, housing growth and climate action. In addition, there will be
clear opportunities to champion service improvement, and work at the forefront of innovation and digitalisation in the world of
planning.
This is a brilliant opportunity for a senior leader, with a demonstrable track record in planning, to make an immediate and
demonstrable impact on the Borough, and its residents, preparing both the Borough and the postholder for the next stages of the
new local government journey.
What we can offer you
A competitive salary/benefits and support for your continuous professional development.
• £74,812 per annum (more can be considered for exceptional candidates)
• Generous Leave Allowance
• Free Parking
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working/Hybrid working
• Family Friendly Packages
Visit our website for the full range of benefits and support we offer our staff.
To Apply
Please click apply and complete the short application process (3-4) minutes. Please ensure you attach your CV and a supporting
statement, detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the role profile, when completing your application on
our recruitment platform Hireful – www.havant.gov.uk/jobs-us-apply-now [http://www.havant.gov.uk/jobs-us-apply-now]
Closing date for receipt of applications is 9 am on Monday 11th August 2025. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th August
2025 and will involve a technical and panel interview.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Sam Stanley on samantha.stanley@havant.gov.uk [samantha.stanley@havant.gov.uk] to
arrange a discussion.
Due to the current employment climate, we are receiving a high number of applicants for each post and as such may not be able to
acknowledge receipt of your application. You will however be notified as to whether you made the shortlist soon after the closing
date.
We want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities, therefore, we encourage and welcome applications from people of
all backgrounds and experiences. www.havant.gov.uk/our-organisation/equality-and-diversity
[http://www.havant.gov.uk/our-organisation/equality-and-diversity]
The council is an inclusive employer and appoints on merit. We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a Guaranteed Interview
Scheme for Veterans.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and
expects all staff members to share this commitment.
Havant Borough Council is a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. All employees of the Authority will be
expected to support any necessary actions required during an emergency response.
Havant Borough Council are looking for a strong, strategic leader, to further the ambitions of the Council in the critical area of
planning and development management.
Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will provide strategic leadership and oversight for planning policy,
development management, and planning enforcement, to support the managers of those services. They will also work with internal
teams, Councillors and external stakeholders, on the establishment of long term and constructive relationships, which will
facilitate delivery of council wide ambitions for regeneration, housing growth and climate action. In addition, there will be
clear opportunities to champion service improvement, and work at the forefront of innovation and digitalisation in the world of
planning.
This is a brilliant opportunity for a senior leader, with a demonstrable track record in planning, to make an immediate and
demonstrable impact on the Borough, and its residents, preparing both the Borough and the postholder for the next stages of the
new local government journey.
What we can offer you
A competitive salary/benefits and support for your continuous professional development.
• £74,812 per annum (more can be considered for exceptional candidates)
• Generous Leave Allowance
• Free Parking
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working/Hybrid working
• Family Friendly Packages
Visit our website for the full range of benefits and support we offer our staff.
To Apply
Please click apply and complete the short application process (3-4) minutes. Please ensure you attach your CV and a supporting
statement, detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the role profile, when completing your application on
our recruitment platform Hireful – www.havant.gov.uk/jobs-us-apply-now [http://www.havant.gov.uk/jobs-us-apply-now]
Closing date for receipt of applications is 9 am on Monday 11th August 2025. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th August
2025 and will involve a technical and panel interview.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Sam Stanley on samantha.stanley@havant.gov.uk [samantha.stanley@havant.gov.uk] to
arrange a discussion.
Due to the current employment climate, we are receiving a high number of applicants for each post and as such may not be able to
acknowledge receipt of your application. You will however be notified as to whether you made the shortlist soon after the closing
date.
We want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities, therefore, we encourage and welcome applications from people of
all backgrounds and experiences. www.havant.gov.uk/our-organisation/equality-and-diversity
[http://www.havant.gov.uk/our-organisation/equality-and-diversity]
The council is an inclusive employer and appoints on merit. We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a Guaranteed Interview
Scheme for Veterans.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and
expects all staff members to share this commitment.
Havant Borough Council is a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. All employees of the Authority will be
expected to support any necessary actions required during an emergency response.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.