Interim Lead (Strategic Planning)

We're Hiring | Interim Lead (Strategic Planning)

Interim Lead – Dorset Local Plan (Strategic Planning)

Location: Dorchester, Dorset (3–4 days onsite)
Contract: 6 months (likely extension)
Rate: £530/day (Outside IR35)

Ideal Candidate Profile

The client is looking for a highly experienced Local Government Strategic Planning professional who has led the preparation and adoption of Local Plans within a UK Local Authority. This is not a town planner or planning consultant role focused on development management. They need someone who has successfully delivered Local Plans and managed planning policy teams.

We are looking for an Interim Lead for the Dorset Local Plan. You will report jointly to the Corporate Director for Planning and the Executive Director for Economy and Environment. For the purpose of the Local Plan, you will manage the Service Manager for Spatial Planning and the teams that report to her, with approximately 50 employees.

Your objective is to lead Dorset’s work to deliver a new Local Plan under the new NPPF and a new Design Guide for Dorset. Working with the Corporate Director and the Service Manager for Spatial Planning, you will:

• Establish a critical path timescale and robust project management arrangements for the new Local Plan.
• Drive forward tangible progress on the new Local Plan and Design Guide for Dorset, leading through the project management arrangements you have put in place.
• Ensure that the resources of the Spatial Planning Team and the wider Planning Department are geared towards the primary objectives of producing a new Local Plan.
• Work closely with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor committees, and the Executive Director. Managing your work diary in such a way as to maximise your face-to-face working time with these senior stakeholders.