Capita Local Public Services is looking for an experienced Head of Planning to lead our Planning function — a role that effectively operates as the Head of Planning within our professional consultancy. This is an exciting opportunity to shape, grow and lead a planning team delivering high‑quality regulatory services into local authorities across the UK.
As the Head of Planning, you will lead a multidisciplinary planning team of around 19 people, including Development Management planners, Principal Planners, Planning Managers and a small Planning Policy team. You will drive operational excellence, ensure high‑quality project delivery, and support the commercial performance of the function. This senior leadership role requires strong planning expertise, team leadership capability, and the ability to operate in a commercial consultancy environment.
Note: This is not a local authority Head of Planning role. You will be leading a consultancy‑based planning team that provides development management, policy work, and planning expertise into local authorities.
This is a home‑based role with regular travel required to our Belfast and Manchester offices (typically weekly or as needed to support team relationships and delivery).
Job Title
Head of Town Planning
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading the full planning team (approx. 19 people) across Development Management and Planning Policy
* Providing day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, 1:1s, performance management and resource oversight
* Ensuring high standard delivery of regulatory planning services into local authority clients
* Supporting project delivery where needed, including occasional hands‑on DM or policy work
* Contributing to forecasting, commercial reviews and fee proposal development
* Driving quality, utilisation and operational efficiency within the team
* Representing the Planning function within the consultancy and supporting wider business priorities
Essential
* RTPI membership
* Degree in Town Planning or a closely related discipline
* Strong experience in regulatory planning (local authority OR consultancy serving local authorities)
* Demonstrated management and leadership experience
* Minimum 5 years relevant experience
Desirable
* P&L or commercial management experience (beneficial but not essential)
Benefits
* 23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
* The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
* Auto‑enrolment to our company pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks and more
* Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – discounts on retail and socialising, health & wellbeing, travel and technology
* Access to Employee Network Groups for diversity and inclusion
* Career development opportunities across Capita
Equal Opportunities
At Capita, we’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. We are an equal‑opportunity and Disability Confident employer, and we encourage adjustments during recruitment. For more information about equal opportunities and the types of adjustments we can offer, please visit the Capita Careers website.
#J-18808-Ljbffr