Director of Place Planning

Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth Councils have created a unique partnership, serving over half a million residents across both inner and outer London. With a single Chief Executive and senior management team leading a workforce of over 3,000 staff, we deliver high-quality services to two distinct boroughs. Our innovative approach and commitment to excellence make us a standout organisation in local government.

Our Values:

• Embrace Difference: We celebrate diversity and support each other to bring unique perspectives to work.
• Think Bigger: We use creativity and vision to solve problems and drive positive change.
• Put People First: We treat everyone with compassion and respect, focusing on the needs of our residents.
• Lead by Example: We take pride in our work and strive to set high standards for our community.
• Connect Better: We connect, share knowledge, and collaborate across our organisation and beyond, building bridges and breaking down barriers to adapt and work effectively together.

As the Director of Place Planning, you will help lead and shape a newly formed, broadly-based place service which supports the growth, renewal, housing and community needs facing both boroughs, ensuring aligned policy, investment and delivery. You will lead all elements of the statutory planning and building control, spatial planning policy and strategic transport across both boroughs. You will provide positive, inspiring and effective leadership and drive performance, prioritise workstreams and policies and organise impactful programme delivery at pace.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to support the Council’s place, housing development and growth objectives, leading and supporting the development of borough-based Growth, Housing, Infrastructure and Local Plans that balance borough priorities with the Mayor of London’s strategic plans and policies
• Advise Members and senior colleagues on planning issues, working collaboratively to ensure that the Council’s developments and development aims are understood and well supported to ensure that growth and housing aims are aligned with formal planning processes.
• Lead and support across a range of statutory and regulatory services, providing assurance on resourcing and full compliance with changing policy and legislation.
• Support inward investment and infrastructure renewal for both boroughs, championing the places, programmes, projects and staff involved by bringing energy and potential to the team and supporting innovation.
• Build an active partner and investor profile – positively promoting growth and development opportunities, and supporting a bright future for our high streets and town centres.
• Strengthen relationships with potential investors and key partners including those within the GLA, place and developer community.
• Define and facilitate the investment needs of communities and other services, ensuring that they are incorporated and secured through the renewal and development cycle – ensuring focussed and positive use of S106, SCil and NCil investment.
• Provide strategic and motivational leadership to staff, providing a visible presence, promoting a positive working environment, managing staff recruitment, training, development, and adherence to policies and codes of practice.
• Advise and support Members on service matters, legislative developments, and policy proposals, representing the Council’s in dealings with external organisations, including government departments and public authorities.
• Oversee business and budget plans, ensuring services are managed within approved budgets, embedding performance review, improvement, and customer focus within services.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, creating a supportive and respectful environment, and understanding and upholding the Councils’ safeguarding duties for children, young people, and adults.

 Why join the Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership?

This role represents the opportunity to be part of an innovative and forward-thinking local authority that has ambitious goals for its residents. The council offers many opportunities for continued professional development, within a diverse and dynamic environment. The potential to create a meaningful impact on the lives of residents within the two boroughs cannot be overstated, and will be a career defining role for the right person. 

For an informal conversation on the role, please contact:

Ruth Hernandez Turner

Ruth.HernandezTurner@berwickpartners.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Monday 24th March.