South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership - Group Manager - Planning & Development

Group Manager – Planning and Development: Shape the Future of South East Lincs

Are you an experienced planning professional with the leadership skills to drive high‑quality decision‑making across three Councils? We are seeking a Group Manager – Planning and Development to lead our Development Management functions and oversee the delivery of complex planning applications that support sustainable growth across our communities.

As part of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) – the largest of its kind in England – you will operate within a diverse and fast‑paced area covering 49% of Lincolnshire’s geography and serving over 300,000 residents.

About Us

Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council have formed the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Since launching in October 2021, the Partnership has achieved significant improvements in service delivery and continues to expand opportunities for shared expertise and innovation.

With services increasingly aligning across the three Councils, colleagues benefit from the chance to shape new and evolving ways of working.

Visit Join our Planning Team - South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership for more information about our Planning Service and the Partnership.

Why Join Us?

• Lead Development Management functions across three councils, influencing how places grow and change.
• Oversee major and complex planning applications, ensuring effective and consistent decision-making.
• Shape innovative approaches to design quality, biodiversity net gain, heritage protection, and sustainable development.
• Be part of an award‑winning Partnership recognised nationally for collaboration and innovation.
• Access strong staff development pathways, including leadership programmes and professional qualifications.
• Benefit from agile and flexible working arrangements within a supportive, collaborative environment.

As Group Manager – Planning and Development, you will:

• Provide operational and professional leadership for Development Management functions across 3 Council teams.
• Oversee the processing and determination of planning applications, ensuring high-quality outcomes and robust decision-making.
• Lead and inspire teams, driving performance, consistency, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Work closely with senior leaders, elected members, applicants, developers, and partner organisations.
• Manage budgets, contracts, and service improvements, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and value for money.
• Support growth priorities across the Partnership through excellent planning and development practices.

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive knowledge of planning legislation, development management processes, and decision-making requirements.
• Proven leadership experience within a senior planning or development role.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline; RTPI membership desirable.
• Ability to travel across the Partnership area as part of your duties.

BENEFITS: We offer excellent terms and conditions of employment including:

Local Government Pension Scheme, 23.8% employer contribution

Generous annual leave scheme +option to buy more

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Benefits Platform including retail, holiday, and leisure discounts

Cycle to work scheme*

Flu Jabs

Free Eye Test voucher

Flexible Working Policy

Agile Working Policy*

Car mileage reimbursement*

Excellent career progression and training opportunities

Long Service Recognition*

*Certain restrictions may apply

If you are interested in having a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Andreas Efthymiou at andreas.efthymiou@penna.com or 07546 415 794

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re passionate about planning leadership and want to help shape the future of South & East Lincolnshire, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply:

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
6. If you have a long-term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com, to inform the Penna team.

Please find the full job description for the role Here

Please note this campaign may close early if an appropriate candidate is found.