About The Role
Shape the future of one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal regions.
North Norfolk District Council is setting an ambitious course for the future. With a new Local Plan on the horizon, we are committed to delivering sustainable growth—providing new homes, supporting thriving communities, and protecting our unique natural environment and dynamic coastline.
We are now seeking an exceptionalAssistant Director for Planningto lead this journey.
As Assistant Director for Planning, you will provide strategic and people-focused leadership to a high-performing, customer-centric Planning Service. You will drive innovation and operational excellence, ensuring the service meets the evolving needs of our communities.
Working closely with colleagues, elected members, and external partners, you will play a key role in shaping inclusive, prosperous, and resilient communities by:
* Tackling the challenges of climate change
* Enabling the delivery of affordable, well-designed housing
* Supporting the needs of a growing and ageing population
* Preserving the unique character of North Norfolk—one of the UK’s top rural and coastal destinations
About You
You are a qualified and experienced planning professional with a strong track record of leadership and service transformation. Politically astute and an excellent communicator, you bring energy, vision, and a collaborative approach to everything you do.
Whether you're an experienced senior leader or ready to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you.
In return, we offer a supportive and forward-thinking working environment, with a strong focus on your personal and professional development.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Steve Hems, Director for Service Delivery via Steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Please be aware this is a politically restricted post.
Closing date: 11:59pm on Sunday 3 August2025, please note we reserve the right to close applications early if we have received a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Interview date: to be confirmed
About Us
We're committed to promoting equality of opportunity for the people and communities of North Norfolk. We respect and value differences in our district and across our workforce, and we want everyone to feel included and able to play their part in making North Norfolk a great place to live, learn, work and visit. Our coast and environment areextremely importantto us.
Recognising that North Norfolkfaces a very real threat from climate change, the Council has declared a climate emergency. We have developed a Net Zero strategy to support our ambitions and all staff have a role to play in meeting our carbon reduction targets.
We have a supportive culture that enables our people to learn and grow through attending courses, e-learning, and their daily job roles. We provide excellent opportunities for communication through updates from Directors and the Chief Executive. Our our onsite recognised union is UNISON.
Our Cromer office is clean, modern and light, with onsite lunchtime catering and free onsite parking. As one of the largest employers in the district, we offer several benefits to all our employees:
* employee assistance program
* discounts portal
* salary sacrifice schemes (bikes, home electricals and EV car leasing - available after completion of probation period).
You will also enjoy:
* a goodwork-life balance, with many roles following our hybrid approach to work (if your role supports hybrid working, all we ask is that you have a stable and reliable internet connection)
* 29days'holiday per year, plus bank holidays, increasing to 34 days after 5 years' service (assuming the role is full-time)
* access to an excellent local government pension scheme based on your local authority career average earnings
We encourage applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
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