Service Director - Planning & Environment

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking a dynamic Service Director to lead our Planning & Environment service areas. The Service Director of Planning & Environment will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community. This role offers the chance to lead high-profile projects, work with a diverse range of stakeholders, and contribute to the strategic aims of the Council.

About us

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. The county ranks as one of the top areas to live in the UK and it is incredibly well connected– less than an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

Now in its sixth year as a unitary council, Buckinghamshire supports and delivers positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Please view our welcome pack: Planning & Environment SD Pack - 1

About the role

Covering some of the most breathtaking countryside in the ancient heart of England, yet also close to London and with excellent connectivity, we’re home to iconic places such as Pinewood Studios and Silverstone Circuit. And we’re looking to the future too, with aspirations to make the home of British space tech at the Westcott Venture Park. In short, Buckinghamshire really matters to UK Plc.

We’re looking for an exceptional strategic leader to move our services to the next level. By joining us, you’ll be part of something bigger – our first Local Plan as a new unitary, delivering the exciting Aylesbury Garden Town, overseeing our ambitious Climate Change Strategy and a number of regeneration schemes in our major urban centres – but the most important contribution you make will be to join the dots that create sustainable, futureproofed prosperity.

We will expect an outstanding record of making big things happen in complex settings, managing competing interests with integrity and care, and leaving places considerably better than you find them.

About you

We are looking to appoint a colleague who shares our vision for the future of Buckinghamshire to work collaboratively and collegiately across both our Council and partners.

If you join us, you will provide strategic direction, operational management, and financial control for the directorate that you are responsible for. You will also have a critical part to play as a member of our corporate team, working with our politicians and partners as well as across management structures and boundaries to get the best for our residents, businesses, and communities.

We're looking for someone who is more than just an operational senior planning officer. You need to be strategically confident and have fresh, exciting ideas. An adaptable, transparent approach is a must for this role, and you will use your ability to influence and collaborate at scale, to develop the culture, achieve the aims, and deliver our aspirations for Buckinghamshire.

From supporting residents who are at the heart of what we do, to shaping our county for now and future generations, you will be part of something bigger. This role provides a tremendous opportunity to make a difference. If you are excited by this position and feel like you could play a key role in bringing our ambitions to fruition, then we would love to hear from you.

Other information

Salary up to £120,000 per annum. 

For an informal discussion with the Corporate Director of Planning, Growth and Sustainability about the role please contact [email protected].

Technical Interview will be held on Monday 6^th October 2025 and Finial Interviews on Monday 13^th October 2025.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/