Planning Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader

Overview

We are looking for an experienced planning professional to join us as Planning Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team responsible for investigating and resolving breaches of planning control across Buckinghamshire. You will combine technical planning enforcement expertise with strong leadership skills, supporting your team to manage complex cases, meet performance expectations and deliver a consistent, customer-focused service.

Working within a changing and developing service, you will also help introduce improved ways of working, strengthen collaboration across Planning and ensure our decisions are robust, proportionate and able to withstand public scrutiny.

About us

The Planning Compliance and Enforcement team plays a vital role in maintaining public confidence in the planning system by investigating alleged breaches of planning control and taking proportionate action where necessary. Working in a fast-paced and customer-focused environment, the team deals with a varied caseload, balancing regulatory responsibilities with effective communication and problem-solving to achieve positive outcomes and protecting the environment for communities, residents, businesses and stakeholders across Buckinghamshire.

About the role

Reporting to the Planning Compliance and Enforcement Manager, you will provide day-to-day leadership for an area of the Planning Compliance and Enforcement service. You will manage and develop a team of planning enforcement professionals, ensuring casework progresses effectively and resources are directed towards achieving the right outcomes.

You will provide expert advice on complex and sensitive enforcement matters, balancing legislative requirements, planning considerations and the needs of residents and communities. You will also represent the Council at Planning Committee, hearings, public inquiries, community meetings and other panels.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a team of Planning Compliance & Enforcement Officers, creating a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Managing complex investigations and overseeing team casework to ensure cases progress appropriately and within agreed timescales.
• Identifying priorities and allocating resources effectively to support delivery of the local enforcement plan and service performance targets.
• Leading on complex appeals, prosecutions and injunctions, including preparing high-quality evidence and supporting colleagues through formal proceedings.
• Representing the Council at hearings, public inquiries, Planning Committee, public meetings, community boards and other relevant forums.
• Using negotiation, influencing and problem-solving skills to resolve planning breaches and achieve proportionate, sustainable outcomes.
• Supporting service transformation by developing and embedding improved processes, procedures and ways of working.
• Monitoring performance, resources and budgets to help maintain an efficient, resilient and customer-focused service.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Planning Compliance, Development Management and the wider Council, as well as external partners, applicants, agents and residents.
• Deputising for the Planning Compliance & Enforcement Manager and Head of Service when required.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will be an experienced planning or enforcement professional with strong technical knowledge and the confidence to lead others through complex and challenging work.

You will bring substantial experience of delivering a specialist service within a large or complex organisation, together with a sound understanding of planning law, policy, procedures and professional practice. This will include knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the National Planning Policy Framework and associated planning regulations.

As an effective and supportive leader, you will be able to motivate colleagues, manage performance and help team members develop their confidence and professional capability. You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, making evidence-based decisions and providing clear advice on sensitive or high-profile cases.

You will also demonstrate:

• Experience of managing complex planning enforcement cases and advising on legislative compliance.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, coach and develop others.
• Excellent judgement, analytical ability and a solutions-focused approach to complex problems.
• The credibility to build effective relationships with residents, elected members, colleagues, partners and professional representatives.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including the ability to manage difficult or escalated customer situations.
• Experience of supporting service improvement, organisational change and new ways of working.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to balance changing demands and meet statutory or procedural deadlines.
• Political awareness and the ability to work effectively in a publicly accountable environment.
• A degree, equivalent qualification or significant relevant professional or vocational qualification.
• A full driving licence, enabling you to carry out the requirements of the role.

Eligibility for corporate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute and experience of planning systems such as Uniform, IDOX, Public Access or GIS would be advantageous.

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.

Other information

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

Closing date: 16^th November 2026

Interview Date: 20^th November 2026

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 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.

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/