Local Government South East
Director of Planning, Economy and Public Protection
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Full Time
Permanent
Reading
Posted 5 days ago
£96,900 to £112,827 Per year
Closes: 27 July 2026
Website: [Reading Borough Council](Reading Borough Council)
Reading is one of the UK’s most dynamic urban economies. It’s ambitious, diverse and growing fast. This is a place where planning, economic growth and public protection genuinely come together, from unlocking major town centre regeneration at Minster Quarter and Broad Street Mall, to shaping new homes, jobs and public spaces whilst championing culture, nightlife, business confidence and supporting safe, well-managed communities.
The opportunity here is not just to manage development, but to help shape the next chapter of Reading’s success: a better-connected, more inclusive, greener and more confident town centre at the heart of the Thames Valley.
Role
We’re looking for an accomplished place leader, which can provide strategic leadership across the role’s full portfolio, which includes:
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- Planning Policy
- Development Management and Building Control
- Public Protection and Regulatory Services
- Growth, Regeneration and Economic Development
You will play a central role in enabling and delivering Reading’s major projects, programmes and capital investment priorities; bringing pace, grip and commercial confidence to complex delivery programmes. In Reading, we get things done and our enabling services play a vital role.
You will embrace the opportunities in front of us, taking a commercially minded approach to support business development, secure wider social value and contribute directly to economic growth and the Council’s wider corporate priorities.
A sound appreciation of the Planning function is important, but we are looking for someone who can influence across the full role and appreciates the interdependencies across the service areas that can impact on inclusive, well-managed economic growth.
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You’ll have the professional and personal presence to be influential in different settings, working with partners, developers, the business community and our elected members. You will have a proven track record in leading a range of urban place services and delivering major projects.
Reading is a place with real momentum. Expectations are high, but there is unrivalled professional opportunity, and you will be joining an organisation with a clear sense of direction, strong corporate purpose and a genuinely collaborative leadership culture.
Visit www.team-reading.co.uk to find out more about this key role. Or contact Steve Guest at Solace in Business on 020 7976 3311 for a confidential discussion.
Closing date: Monday 27th July
To apply for this job please visit reabcli.webitrent.com.
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