Service Lead - Built Environment

Closing date: Monday 10 March 2025
Interview date: Week commencing 17 March 2025
Location: Winchester

Salary: £67,816 - £74,469 per annum, plus essential car user allowance of £846 gross per annum.

Please apply via Winchester City Council's website or send your CV and covering letter to hrrecruitment@winchester.gov.uk.

Winchester is a unique place. A place of history and heritage that today is home to a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, a strong local economy, and is set within a beautiful landscape with 40% of the district inside the South Downs National Park. And it’s a destination that attracts visitors from across the world. It should come as no surprise that it’s a place where expectations and ambitions are high. That’s what makes this role such an exciting professional opportunity.

There’s plenty going on in our district major regeneration projects, meeting the growing demand for housing and employment with ambitious environmental targets. So there is plenty for you to get involved in – all set within the context of a place that’s world famous for its heritage and history. Our residents are rightly protective of the unique character of our district and committed stakeholder engagement will be central to success in this role.

The post manages the following services:

• Strategic Planning
• Development Management, including planning, planning enforcement and protecting our historic buildings across the district.
• Building Control

You will be an experienced planner and member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. You will lead on major projects including our local plan, major regeneration proposals including those made by the council and leading on concept master planning approach required by local plan policy.

The planning service is embarking on a digitalisation journey with a view to embracing AI and ensuring transparency in the planning process and you will lead on this transformation.   

Your experience and knowledge should be supported by a highly accomplished management style. You’ll be able to engage and advise in political setting, and in key partnerships. You’ll bring a positive mindset to complex and emotive projects, working with others to arrive at the right solutions for our district.

The post also offers the following benefits:

• Employer paid health cash plan
• Cycle to Work and Car Benefit salary sacrifice schemes
• Competitive annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• 13 days additional flexi leave per year (subject to operational requirements)
• Option to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
• Free parking 
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounted membership at the two leisure centres in the district
• Confidential Employee Advice and Support Programme
• Employee retail and shopping discounts
• Season Ticket Loans
• Excellent working environment
• Support for continuous professional development

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Julie Pinnock, Corporate Head of Planning and Regulatory Services on 01962 848439.