Kent County Council
Spatial Development Strategy Manager
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Spatial Development Strategy Manager
Spatial Development Strategy Manager
Salary: £63,376 – £70,007 Location: Maidstone Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week) Closing Date: 20 July 2026 Job Reference: REF/TP/802/14865
About the Role
Kent County Council and Medway Council are leading the development of a new Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), a long-term, statutory planning framework shaping growth, infrastructure, and investment across Kent and Medway for the next 20+ years. As Spatial Development Strategy Manager, you will:
- Lead the successful preparation, adoption, and implementation of the strategy.
- Address critical challenges including housing delivery, infrastructure, nature recovery, and economic growth.
- Collaborate with district/borough councils, government agencies, and stakeholders (private and public sectors) to deliver a high-quality, inclusive spatial vision.
This is an opportunity to shape places, drive transformative change, and leave a lasting impact on residents, businesses, and communities in Kent and Medway.
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Key Responsibilities
- Execute a forward-thinking approach under a dynamic local government landscape, navigating complexity with clarity, purpose, and vision.
- Embed decisions with social and environmental considerations while balancing growth.
- Foster collaborative working with statutory partners, businesses, and community groups.
- Ensure the strategy aligns with wider national plans (e.g., Plan for the South East) and local priorities.
- Communicate the strategy effectively to build wide-ranging support, balancing political awareness with expert technical knowledge.
Requirements
- Exceptional planning professional experience, preferably at a strategic level.
- Proven ability to work at a senior management/directorial capacity in local government or equivalent sector.
- Track record of developing planning/test-cell-site frameworks and politically astute leadership.
- Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Desire to influence large-scale change within complex systems.
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Why Join Us?
If you are passionate about shaping places and driving transformative impact in Kent and Medway, this role offers:
- A chance to work on one of the most significant reforms to the planning system in a generation.
- Collaboration with a distinctive mixture of authorities, agencies, and stakeholders.
- A dynamic environment where your strategic vision can unlock opportunities for sustainable growth.
Contact for Further Information
For an informal discussion, please reach out to:
Tom Marchant – Assistant Director, Strategic Development and Place, Kent County Council Email: tom.marchant@kent.gov.uk Phone: 03000 413412
Dave Harris – Chief Planning Officer, Medway Council Email: dave.harris@medway.gov.uk Phone: 01634 331700
To apply: Click here. (Link replaced as exact URL wasn’t provided)
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