Director of Town Planning and Building Control

(Candidates must be Directors currently)*

Director of Town Planning and Building Control

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Town Planning and Building Control to provide strategic leadership and drive excellence across our Planning and Building Control services. This is a high-profile leadership role, shaping Westminster’s built environment and ensuring that our City Plan delivers on its ambitions for sustainable growth, high-quality urban design, and resident-focused service delivery.

As the organisation’s Chief Planning Officer, you will act as the organisation’s leading expert on planning policy, development management, planning enforcement, infrastructure planning, and building control. Your leadership will help enhance Westminster’s reputation as a world-class city while delivering sustainable and inclusive development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Set the vision and future direction for Planning and Building Control services, ensuring innovation and a customer-centric approach.

City Plan Implementation: Lead the delivery of Westminster’s City Plan, ensuring planning policies align with the Client’s strategic objectives.

Regulatory and Policy Expertise: Act as the Client’s Planning expert, providing strategic advice to Councillors, senior leaders, and external partners. High-Quality

Urban Design: Promote a safe, well-planned, economically successful, and socially inclusive city, acting as a champion for sustainable development.

Operational Excellence: Oversee Development Management, Planning Enforcement, Infrastructure Planning, and Building Control, ensuring high standards and compliance with legislation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with Councillors, developers, private sector partners, and public agencies to influence Westminster’s future.

Budget and Resource Management: Lead a £2 million staffing budget, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.

Leadership and Team Development: Inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of approximately 150 employees, fostering an inclusive and accountable culture.

Significant senior leadership experience in a large, multi-disciplinary organisation. Expertise in town planning, urban design, and development management within an urban context.

Strong experience in stakeholder engagement, working with local and central government, landowners, and developers. A track record of delivering service improvements, managing budgets, and ensuring excellent customer-focused planning services.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams and stakeholders. A deep understanding of local government regulations, statutory planning frameworks, and risk management.

Qualifications

A degree (or equivalent experience) in Planning or a related field. Membership in a relevant professional body (desirable).

Rate of Pay

£800 per day Umbrella maximum