Interim Planning Policy Manager South East | Hybrid (1 days in office, remainder remote) 6-month contract (potential to extend) £550-£600/day (Inside IR35) Varnom Ross are working with a Local Authority in South East England who are seeking an experienced Interim Planning Policy Manager to lead their Policy team during a critical phase of their Local Plan. The successful candidate will bring significant experience of managing a Planning Policy service, ideally with a strong track record of taking a Local Plan through Examination. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing and guiding the team through the next stages of plan-making, ensuring statutory compliance, robust evidence bases, and sound strategy development. Key Responsibilities: Lead the Planning Policy team through the Local Plan Examination process Provide strategic direction, support and quality assurance on all policy-related matters Engage with Members, stakeholders and the community to ensure inclusive and effective plan-making Manage workloads and deadlines to ensure timely delivery against the project plan Requirements: Proven experience in leading a Policy function within a Local Authority setting Strong working knowledge of the Local Plan process, including submission and examination stages Excellent communication and leadership skills Available to start within the next few weeks This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week on-site, with the remaining days worked from home. Interested or know someone who might be? Contact Jack at Varnom Ross for a confidential discussion. jack@varnomross.com