Development Management Team Leader

Overview

Are you an experienced planning professional ready to lead, influence and shape high-quality development outcomes? This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role within a forward-thinking Planning & Environment service.

An opportunity has arisen internally within Buckinghamshire Council for an ‘acting up role’ for an Area Team Leader in Development Management (Core) Team 1.

This role would start in early July 2026 and would last whilst the current post holder is on maternity leave. The role will last for approximately 9-12 months.

The successful candidate would need to demonstrate as part of their written expression of interest, knowledge, expertise, and experience of dealing with a variety of work and leadership appropriate to the role being advertised.

As a Development Management Team Leader, you will manage and develop a team of specialists, delivering expert planning advice and ensuring a high-quality, customer-focused service that supports sustainable development across Buckinghamshire.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.  

About the role

This is a senior and highly impactful role where you will lead a team of professional planners and technical staff, ensuring the effective delivery of statutory planning services. You’ll be at the forefront of managing complex and often high-profile development proposals, working closely with internal teams, developers, stakeholders, and local communities to achieve positive outcomes.

You will play a key role in shaping service delivery by driving improvements, implementing new approaches, and ensuring performance targets are met. The role also involves overseeing complex casework, leading strategic negotiations, and representing the Council at committees, hearings, and public inquiries.

Alongside operational leadership, you’ll contribute to the strategic direction of the service, supporting policy development, driving innovation, and ensuring services remain efficient, customer-focused, and aligned with wider organisational goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and developing a team to deliver expert planning advice and meet statutory requirements
• Overseeing complex planning applications, consents, and appeals
• Leading negotiations with developers, agents, and stakeholders to secure appropriate development outcomes
• Representing the Council at Planning Committees, hearings, and public inquiries
• Driving service improvements, innovation, and customer-focused delivery
• Monitoring performance, resources, and budgets to meet business targets
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders including parish and town councils and the public
• Deputising for the Development Manager/Major Development Manager when required

For a full outline of responsibilities, please refer to the job description.

About you

We are looking for a highly experienced and motivated planning professional with strong leadership capability and a passion for delivering excellent public service. You will be confident leading teams and managing complex workloads, with the ability to influence, negotiate and make sound decisions in a fast-paced and sometimes politically sensitive environment.

You’ll bring substantial experience in development management within a local authority or similarly complex organisation, along with expert knowledge of planning legislation, policy and best practice. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, as is the ability to build trusted relationships and represent the organisation with credibility.

To be successful in this role, you will be:

• A confident leader who can motivate, develop and support a high-performing team
• A strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• An effective communicator with excellent negotiation and influencing abilities
• Organised and resilient, able to manage competing priorities and complex casework
• Customer-focused, with the ability to handle sensitive or contentious issues professionally

You will also have:

• Significant experience in development management and determining complex planning applications
• In-depth knowledge of planning law, policy (including TCPA and NPPF) and regulatory frameworks
• Experience representing an organisation at hearings, appeals, or public inquiries
• Strong report writing and presentation skills
• A relevant degree (or equivalent) and membership (or eligibility) of a professional body
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle

For full details of the skills, experience, and qualifications required, please refer to the job description.

Other information

If you feel this is the right opportunity for you and you have the necessary expertise, knowledge, and experience then we would love to see an application from you.

For more information about this role, please contact Mark Aughterlony at [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 13^th May 2026 

Interview-type / process: It is anticipated that a “structured discussion” as opposed to a formal interview for the post would take place from 18 May 2026 onwards. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/