Service Director - Planning and Transport

Do you want to shape the future of Gateshead's places, leading the planning, transport and infrastructure services that make sustainable growth possible? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

This role forms part of a wider organisational redesign to ensure the Council is structured to deliver high-quality, efficient services for the people of Gateshead. This supports our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do and enabling everyone in our borough to thrive.

At Gateshead Council, we pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward thinking approach to delivering high quality services and improving outcomes for our communities. We believe our employees are the driving force behind our Thrive agenda, and as a senior leader you will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of services across the borough.

You will join a leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and integrity. You'll have the freedom to influence policy, drive service transformation, and lead large, diverse services that directly contribute to a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Gateshead.

Supporting services that make a difference to our communities

Our Planning and Transport Service plays a critical role in shaping Gateshead's future, enabling new homes, supporting economic growth, strengthening infrastructure, tackling climate change and creating safe, accessible places. From leading the Local Plan and development management to strategic transport planning, building control, engineering design, flooding and environmental specialisms, this service underpins how the borough grows, connects and thrives.

As Service Director for our new Planning and Transport Service, you will provide strategic leadership across this wide-ranging portfolio at an exciting and pivotal time in Gateshead's transformation. You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective planning and transport services, enabling major projects, strengthening regional partnerships, and driving forward the Council's ambitions for sustainable development and regeneration, climate responsibility and long-term economic prosperity.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the transformation of Planning and Transport services at a time of significant change and unprecedented regeneration and growth across Gateshead. We are looking for an inspiring and experienced senior leader with a proven track record of delivering transformation and organisational change. You will bring substantial experience of working with elected Members and political leadership, alongside strong strategic planning expertise and the ability to successfully lead service improvement and modernisation in a complex environment.

What you will get to do

In this strategic leadership role, you will:

• contribute to the strategic direction of the Council and the Economy, Innovation and Growth Group, ensuring strong alignment with the Thrive agenda
• work across Council services and contribute to wider organisational priorities as part of the senior leadership team
• lead the development and delivery of statutory and non-statutory planning, transport and climate change services across the borough
• provide senior leadership for the Local Plan and associated policy frameworks, ensuring up-to-date, evidence-based strategies
• oversee strategic transport policy, engineering design, network management and the Council's Lead Local Flood Authority responsibilities
• lead major projects and initiatives that support housing delivery, infrastructure investment and economic growth
• represent Gateshead at regional and national levels on planning, transport and climate matters, influencing policy and securing investment
• build effective partnerships with developers, statutory agencies, regional bodies and wider stakeholders to deliver shared priorities
• lead and manage delivery of the Council's capital programme for planning, transport and related infrastructure, including significant investment
• lead business continuity, risk management, policy development and performance frameworks for all service areas
• lead emergency planning arrangements across planning, transport and regulatory services
• provide strategic advice and high-quality reports to Members, portfolio holders, committees and boards
• manage employees, budgets, assets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and high levels of workforce engagement
• lead organisational and cultural change, ensuring services remain sustainable, future-focused and responsive to new challenges
• respond to media enquiries and promote the work of the service in partnership with the Communications Team

What you'll bring

• a relevant professional qualification or extensive senior leadership experience at an equivalent level
• extensive senior-level experience within planning, transport, environmental services or related disciplines
• a successful track record of leading transformation, organisational change and service improvement within a complex organisation
• significant experience of working with elected Members, political leadership, senior stakeholders, developers and strategic partners
• strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to develop and deliver long-term plans, manage complex services and drive sustainable change
• demonstrable ability to lead major capital projects, option appraisals and large-scale programmes
• strong understanding of local authority legislation, planning and transport policy, climate responsibilities and regulatory frameworks
• excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with experience of representing organisations at senior regional and national levels

What we offer

In Gateshead, we value our leaders and invest in their wellbeing, development and future. In this role, you will benefit from:

• Competitive salary - A fair and transparent pay structure that reflects your skills, experience and leadership contribution.
• Outstanding Local Government Pension Scheme - A highly regarded, secure pension with generous employer contributions. Find out more on the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund website.
• Generous annual leave - 32 days of annual leave (including 2 fixed days), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• Hybrid and flexible working - We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning and development - Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health and wellbeing support - Access to mental health resources, occupational health, and discounted gym membership through our partner GLL.
• Cycle to Work scheme - A tax-efficient way to stay active while saving money.
• Electric and hybrid car scheme - A cost-effective and environmentally friendly salary sacrifice scheme (after 12 months' service), enabling access to brand-new electric or hybrid vehicles.
• Exclusive discounts and salary sacrifice options - Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on retail, travel and everyday purchases, plus salary-sacrifice options for white goods, electronics and more (after 6 months' service).