Head of Planning

This is an exciting time to be joining a forward thinking and ambitious Council committed to continual change and modernisation and ensuring the needs of all residents, businesses and visitors are met. Woking’s defining characteristics are its diverse and multicultural communities and its vibrant town centre and distinctive villages. We put residents first, committed to creating the best sustainable environments in which people and businesses thrive.

The Planning Service is key to the Council’s ability to guide and manage the future development of the Borough, impacting on the quality of place experienced by residents, businesses, workers and visitors for generations to come. We’ve just completed a planning peer review which has endorsed the quality and success of our service with an excellent track record of delivery.  A review of the Local Plan will take place in 2023 and precede the commencement of work of a new Local Plan in place for 2027.

Reporting into the Strategic Director – Place you will take responsibility for planning service including planning policy, development management and building control.  You will want to build on our success to date, delivering on the actions set out as part of the planning peer review and providing excellence in customer care.  As a key member of the new Directorate leadership team, you will work across the organisation and with external partners to secure our place ambitions.  As the Council’s lead advisor on planning matters you will be advising senior officers and members on key matters. As a member of the Royal Town Planning institute you will be able to demonstrate a track record of delivery and management experience.

We can offer you the chance to develop your career in a friendly team within our progressive authority, a generous flexi-time scheme with the ability to take two flexi days a month, membership of the local government pension scheme, discounted health and leisure membership, plus many more excellent benefits.  

As we emerge from the Covid pandemic, a hybrid approach to working from home and being in the office is encouraged. 

For an informal conversation on this post contact Giorgio Framalicco, Strategic Director – Place on Giorgio.Framalicco@woking.gov.uk

Interviews will take place during week commencing 5 September.