Planning Programme Manager

This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
 

• Job Title:                           Planning Programme Manager
• Job Location:                     Shire Hall, Block 5, 5th Floor 
• Salary:                              £41,771-£47,181 per annum 
• Hours per Week:                37.00 
• Contract Type:                   Fixed Term 
• Duration:                          2 years - 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028   
• Closing Date:                    15/02/2026 
• Job Requisition Number:    13438 
•  This post is not open to job share

About the Role

Do you want to play a key role in shaping the future of a whole county—helping to create new communities, protect cherished places, and support sustainable growth? If you’re motivated by making a lasting difference, this is your opportunity to help make Gloucestershire the best place to live, work, and thrive.

Gloucestershire offers the best of all worlds: the vibrant urban centres of Cheltenham and Gloucester, the stunning landscapes of the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean, and excellent connections to Bristol, Birmingham, and Cardiff. Together, our ambition is clear—to drive sustainable economic growth and ensure our communities have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

In light of Local Government Reorganisation and major planning reforms, Gloucestershire’s seven local authorities are joining forces more closely than ever. This role is at the heart of that exciting partnership, helping shape aligned, future-ready land use strategies across the county.

About You

We’re looking for a driven, proactive individual with a “can-do” approach—someone who thrives on collaboration, problem-solving, and delivering meaningful outcomes.

You will bring:

• Strong project management skills and experience
• Excellent interpersonal and partnership-building abilities
• Confidence working within complex local government governance structures
• The ability to navigate political environments with professionalism and tact
• A passion for supporting place-shaping and sustainable development

In this role, you’ll work across all seven Gloucestershire authorities, leading the development of key project management products—from highlight reports and project plans to risk and issue registers. Your work will be essential in monitoring progress and ensuring successful delivery of Gloucestershire’s Local and Strategic Plans.

Success will rely on thinking creatively, building trust, and fostering a shared approach to spatial planning. You’ll help deliver a robust suite of statutory development plans that meet Government timelines, unlock growth opportunities, and support a sustainable future for the county.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your project management expertise across multiple organisations, gaining insight into complex land-use planning processes and strengthening your professional network.

About Us

In return for your hard work, we offer:

• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• 25.5 days annual leave, rising to 30.5 days after 5 years’ continuous service
• Option to purchase up to 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
• Family-friendly policies and benefits
• Career development and qualification pathways
• A supportive, positive working environment with regular supervision
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) membership
• Access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• In-house Occupational Health support
• Employee discount scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&Cs apply)
• Access to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network

How to Apply

If you have the skills, motivation, and ambition to make a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your application and personal statement by selecting the “Apply Now” button.

If you’d like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ben Watts, Planning, Economy & Growth Manager, on 01452 426771.

Interviews will take place within two weeks of the advert closing.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce where everyone feels they belong and can succeed.

Additional Information

To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:-

Planning Programme Manager- Job Profile 

The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months' employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer. 

If you are an Internal applicant and consider yourself to have a disability* as per the Equality Act (2010), please declare this in an email to recruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk, as this is NOT currently covered in the application due to a technical error.

Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire’s diverse communities.  Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.

It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.