Shape the future of one of the UK’s most ambitious cities Leeds is one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing cities, with a planning agenda that sits at the heart of its future. From progressing a complex Local Plan through to submission, to shaping major regeneration such as the South Bank, this is a city where planning genuinely matters.
Planning plays a central role in delivering the Leeds Ambitions, supporting inclusive growth, climate resilience and the creation of high-quality places for communities. This is an opportunity to lead a function that is fundamental to how the Council delivers on those ambitions.
We are now looking for a Head of Strategic Planning who understands the influence that high-quality plan‑making, strong evidence and clear spatial thinking can have on delivering sustainable growth at scale. This is a rare opportunity to lead a function that brings together policy, plan‑making, environment and design, with real visibility across the organisation and region.
The role This is a senior, outward‑facing leadership role, but at its core it is about planning expertise and influence. You will lead the progression of the Leeds Local Plan towards submission and examination, shaping how the city delivers sustainable development, housing growth and place‑making at scale.
You will oversee a multidisciplinary function covering policy, design, ecology, heritage, climate and environmental planning, ensuring that the right expertise is brought together to support both plan‑making and decision‑making across the city. Alongside this, you will play a key role in overseeing how the service contributes to wider Council projects and programmes, ensuring that planning insight and specialist expertise are embedded across major initiatives and investment priorities.
You will act as a key voice across the Council, working closely with Members, senior officers and partners, and building strong relationships with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and wider stakeholders.
This is not simply about maintaining a statutory function. It is about articulating what good growth looks like in a major UK city and ensuring that vision is translated into delivery. You will also play a key role in strengthening how the service uses data, digital systems and evidence to support more effective planning, consultation and long‑term decision‑making.
You will champion exemplary design and conservation, ensuring Leeds is recognised as a leader in high‑quality places and sustainable growth.
Why this role will appeal This is a role that offers genuine influence. It provides the opportunity to lead a Local Plan at scale in a complex, high‑growth city, while shaping how planning supports regeneration, housing delivery and climate priorities. The breadth of the service brings together policy, design and environmental disciplines, creating a more integrated approach to place‑making than is often found elsewhere.
You will be leading a service of around 50 professionals across multiple disciplines, with responsibility for both statutory delivery and longer‑term spatial strategy. The role also offers a visible platform across the Council and region, with the ability to influence beyond the planning service and contribute to wider strategic priorities.
About you You will bring a strong background in spatial planning, plan‑making or strategic policy, alongside a deep understanding of the planning system, development market and wider policy environment. You are likely to have experience of leading or significantly contributing to a Local Plan or equivalent statutory framework and will be comfortable operating in a political and high‑profile environment.
Just as importantly, you will be collaborative in your approach, with the credibility to influence and support across services and with external partners.
Why Leeds Planning in Leeds is visible, complex and high impact. With ambitious plans around inclusive growth, climate resilience and city centre expansion, this is a role where your work will shape the future of a major UK city.
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