Job Introduction

Planning Policy Lead

Introduction to the role and applicant profile

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint an exceptional Planning Policy Lead to lead one of the most important strategic planning programmes in the region.

The West of England is one of the UK's fastest-growing city-regions, with significant opportunities and challenges around housing delivery, economic growth, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and environmental enhancement. The decisions made today will shape how the region grows for decades to come.

At the heart of this is the West of England's first Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), a statutory plan that will establish the long-term framework for where homes, jobs and infrastructure are delivered across the region over the next 30 years.

As Planning Policy Lead, you will lead the development, examination and adoption of this landmark strategy. You will work directly with the Mayor, senior elected members, local authority leaders, chief executives, planning directors, government departments and statutory agencies to build consensus around a shared vision for the future of the West of England.

This is a role with genuine regional influence and national significance. Few planning professionals have the opportunity to lead the preparation of a strategic plan of this scale and importance. If you are motivated by shaping places, influencing major decisions and leaving a lasting legacy, this could be the career-defining opportunity you have been looking for.

We are looking for an outstanding strategic leader who combines excellent planning expertise with strong political awareness, exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for delivering sustainable, inclusive growth.

This is a critical time in our transformation and growth journey, and you'll play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our ambitions by:

Leading the development and delivery of the West of England Spatial Development Strategy.
Shaping the region's long-term approach to housing, employment, infrastructure and place-making.
Building consensus across four local authorities and a wide range of regional and national partners.
Leading engagement with government departments, statutory agencies and key stakeholders.
Managing a high-performing team of planning professionals and technical specialists.
Providing expert advice to senior leaders on complex planning and growth challenges.

What you'll be doing

Are you someone who can bring together diverse interests around a common purpose, influence senior decision-makers and deliver complex programmes in challenging environments?

As Planning Policy Lead, you will:

Lead the preparation of the West of England's first Spatial Development Strategy.
Provide strategic leadership for one of the Combined Authority's highest-profile statutory programmes.
Direct the evidence base, consultation programme and policy development process.
Build productive partnerships across local government, national government, infrastructure providers and the development sector.
Lead engagement with political leaders and senior stakeholders on complex and often sensitive issues.
Guide the SDS through examination and adoption.
Support the delivery of wider regional priorities across housing, regeneration, transport, climate and economic development.
Develop and lead a talented team committed to delivering positive outcomes for the region.

What you'll bring

You will be an experienced planning professional with the credibility, leadership skills and strategic thinking required to operate at the highest levels of local and regional government.

We're particularly interested in candidates who:

Have substantial experience leading strategic planning or spatial policy programmes.
Understand the legal, technical and political complexities of plan-making.
Have a track record of influencing senior stakeholders and building consensus across organisational boundaries.
Are confident operating in politically sensitive environments and providing advice to elected members and senior executives.
Have experience managing complex programmes involving multiple partners, competing priorities and significant public interest.
Can inspire and support teams to deliver ambitious outcomes.
Bring a strong commitment to sustainable growth, place-making and improving outcomes for communities.

Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute and significant professional experience in planning policy and strategy will be essential.

Why choose us?

The Place Directorate sits at the centre of some of the most ambitious growth, regeneration and infrastructure programmes in the country. We are helping to shape the future of a region that is expected to accommodate significant housing and employment growth while remaining one of the UK's most attractive places to live, work and invest.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a programme that will influence the future of the West of England for a generation. Substantial work is already underway, with a high-performing team in place and a first public engagement planned for November.

The Spatial Development Strategy will provide the framework for how the region grows over the next 30 years. The person appointed to this role will have a direct influence on decisions that affect communities, investment, infrastructure and economic prosperity across the region.

Few planning roles offer the opportunity to have this level of impact, visibility and legacy.

Find out more

If this sounds like your next opportunity, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply and tell us why you'd be a great fit for this role.

There is more information in the job description but you can find out more about the Spatial Development Strategy and our wider work to shape the future of the West of England.

This role closes at midnight on Friday 13 November 2026.

If you have any questions for the recruitment team, please contact Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.

If you'd like an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Alex Cobb, Head of Housing and Strategic Planning, at Alex.Cobb@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.

About the Company

Our offer

We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference to the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).

Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We follow a hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £65,787 - £71,964. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

Good Employment Charter
https://www.goodemploymentcharter.co.uk/
As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

We want everyone to have a fair opportunity to work with us. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, accessible and free from unlawful discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Closing dates
Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees. 

Apply