Head of Strategic Planning

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Job Description

Head of Strategic Planning

Salary: £72,975 - £84,333 per annum

Grade: I

Permanent Contract

37 Hours per Week

We are seeking an exceptional and engaging individual to join us as Head of Strategic Planning. This role is a unique and exciting opportunity to spearhead the development and delivery of strategic policies that balance growth, sustainability, and the needs of our residents. Thurrock is a dynamic, fast-growing borough, offering you the opportunity to tackle exciting challenges and play a key role in shaping its future. Bring your expertise, vision, and passion for strategic planning, and join a team committed to creating a better tomorrow.

You will ideally have a background in Local Plans and be willing to provide leadership to the service to ensure the Local Plan makes effective progress. We want an individual who demonstrates a high level of drive and ambition and enjoys working with a diverse set of strategic planning matters. An opportunity to learn how to bring a Council out of intervention, you will play an integral role in facilitating and guiding the Council on its journey to modernisation and financial sustainability - whilst transforming ways of working with our internal staff, elected members, residents, and leadership.

On the other side of the change, as we leave intervention, expect career defining moments and a sense of pride that the Borough is not only fit for purpose but is ready to lead the way forward.

The role:

Are you ready to lead and make a lasting impact? Join Thurrock Council as our new Head of Strategic Planning and lead the way in driving innovative solutions for a thriving community.

In this pivotal role, you'll spearhead the development and delivery of strategic policies that balance growth, sustainability, and the needs of our residents. Thurrock is a dynamic, fast-growing borough, offering you the opportunity to tackle exciting challenges and play a key role in shaping its future.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of shaping the priorities for Thurrock Council. So, if you are ready to join Thurrock Council during this exciting time, then bring your expertise, vision, and passion for strategic planning and join a team committed to creating a better tomorrow. Together, let's build a Thurrock that works for everyone.

What's in it for you:

This is a rare and exciting opportunity in an organisation that is committed to delivering better services for its residents, communities, and staff. You benefit from a range of benefits.

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years' service.
• career average pension scheme
• relocation packages
• interest-free loans for green travel such as bikes or public transport season tickets
• salary sacrifice schemes such as childcare vouchers and cycle to work schemes
• maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave above the statutory minimum
• employee assistance programme to provide support to employees both at and outside of work
• flexible working to help balance work and personal life including job sharing, part-time working and home working
• buying additional annual leave
• career break scheme for up to 2 years
• wide range of courses to support employee development
• discounted rates for national restaurants, retailers, attractions and experience days
• discounts with local suppliers including cycle, beauty and fashion stores, restaurants, estate agents and driving schools
• 24-hour health advice and support

We also offer a hybrid working set-up, our office is just a 2-minute walk from the train station with rapid links in and out of Central London. Candidates are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this post.

If you have any queries regarding the post or would like to have an informal discussion about the post, please contact Ashley Baldwin - Chief Planning Officer on Ashley.baldwin@thurrock.gov.uk

Advert Closing Date:

• Redeployment Only: 28th November 2024
• Internal & External: 22nd December 2024

Interview Date: January 2025

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

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About Us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council