Overview
Employer Kingston Council
Location Kingston
Work Hybrid
Contract Permanent
Working Hours Full Time, 36 hours per week
Salary £72,399 - £79,119 per annum
Leave Entitlement 30 days
Application Deadline 22/02/2026, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s) Refer to the timetable on our recruitment website, managed by Penna
About the Borough
Found in zone 6 with good transport links in and out of London, Kingston is a vibrant and diverse town which creates a strong sense of community. Kingston offers a riverside location, shopping and restaurants, and a mix of modern and historic town centres. The borough has open parklands and cycle routes connected to town centres.
We are passionate about working with residents and vulnerable groups to help them maintain independence and balance support with independent living.
What Youll Do
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate
* Set the strategic direction for Development Management and Enforcement, delivering a high‑performing, customer‑focused service.
* Lead on planning applications and negotiations, securing infrastructure and community benefits through Section 106 and CIL.
* Oversee Planning Committee activities and represent the service at senior level.
* Drive service improvement, innovation, and income generation through pre‑application services and Planning Performance Agreements.
* Inspire and develop your team, embedding a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.
What Were Looking For
* Degree‑level qualification in Town Planning (or related discipline) and RTPI chartered membership (or eligibility).
* Significant experience assessing and advising on complex planning applications.
* Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and driving performance.
* Comprehensive knowledge of planning legislation, local government operations, and political awareness.
* Ability to build strong partnerships and influence at senior levels.
Join us and help shape Kingston's future delivering sustainable growth, vibrant communities, and a forward‑thinking planning service in one of London’s most exciting boroughs.
About Us
Lead Kingston's Growth. Shape Our Future Places. Were looking for an outstanding leader to head up our Development Management and Planning Enforcement services driving positive growth and regeneration across Kingston. This is your chance to influence the borough’s future, ensuring development aligns with our Local Plan and delivers sustainable, high‑quality outcomes for our communities.
Why Kingston?
From our historic riverside and vibrant market town to major regeneration schemes, Kingston is one of London’s most dynamic boroughs. You’ll play a pivotal role in flagship projects, guiding development that balances heritage with innovation.
Our Offer To You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We encourage you to share ideas of any size; you will be supported by colleagues and our management team.
Benefits
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable work‑life balance, including:
* A generous annual leave entitlement of 25–32 days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata for part‑time hours)
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave
* Three volunteering days per year in Kingston
* Hybrid working (dependent on the role)
* Flexible and agile working with Google Chromebooks
* Learning and development portal with courses
* Discounts on local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
* Interest free season ticket loans
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
* Electric vehicle leasing scheme
* Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support
Application Process
For more information and to apply, please visit www.kingstonjobs.co.uk. Penna are managing this recruitment campaign on our behalf as recruitment partners.
Apply online outlining the skills, abilities and experience you can bring to the role. Refer to the job profile requirements when completing your application.
We recognise and welcome the use of AI in the workplace to boost productivity, but we reserve the right to reject applications where AI-generated content is used in isolation without personalised responses. We value authenticity and require applicants to demonstrate their own skills, experience and motivation while embracing our STAR values. Kingston core values include Transparency, to be demonstrated during the application process and at interview.
Additional Information
We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming borough. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. We offer family‑friendly policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums and inclusive networks. We are a disability‑confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet minimum essential criteria. As a London Living Wage employer, all employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of contract length.
The UK immigration system applies. Sponsorship may be available case by case. Check GOV.UK for right‑to‑work guidance.
Important Information - Political Restrictions This post is politically restricted/sensitive and applicants may need to declare any political interests as part of their application.
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