About this opportunity

We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced and motivated Development Management Service Manager to lead the Development Management function within Westmorland and Furness Council’s Thriving Places Directorate.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of all planning application processes and enforcement activity across the council area. The Development Management service plays a vital role in shaping the built environment, balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing through consistent, high-quality planning decisions.

As the strategic lead for development management, you will oversee a team of around 50 planning professionals, including Area Managers, Principal and Senior Officers. You will ensure that all planning applications and decisions align with national policy, the Council’s Local Plan, and its broader ambitions for sustainable, inclusive, and green growth.

Working closely with the Senior Manager for Planning Services, elected Members, developers, and local communities, you will ensure that planning decisions are transparent, timely, and deliver positive outcomes for residents and businesses. You will also lead on the transformation of the service, driving continuous improvement, consistency, and innovation across all area teams.

Key priorities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of planning application processing and enforcement.
• Managing the delivery of high quality, timely decisions on complex and high profile planning cases.
• Supporting and developing a high-performing team of planning professionals across multiple locations.
• Promoting collaboration with councillors, developers, and communities to ensure sustainable development outcomes.
• Leading the implementation of new processes, policies, and technologies to improve service performance and customer satisfaction.

This is a dynamic and influential leadership position, ideal for a planning professional who thrives on strategic management, problem-solving, and delivering excellence in public service.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for an inspiring and highly skilled leader with significant experience in development management and a deep understanding of UK planning legislation and policy. You will bring a combination of professional credibility, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You will hold chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and a degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, or a related discipline.

You will also demonstrate:

• Substantial experience leading or managing development management teams within a local authority or similar planning environment ideally within a Unitary authority.
• In-depth knowledge of planning policy, legislation, and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage complex and high profile planning applications and appeals.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills, with experience managing senior professional staff.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present confidently at committees and public forums.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• A commitment to excellent customer service and collaborative working.

If you are ready to take on a pivotal leadership role that shapes the future development of Westmorland and Furness, delivering high-quality, sustainable outcomes for local communities, we’d love to hear from you.

Due to the senior nature of this role there is an expectation that the successful candidate would be able to be based in our offices the majority of the week.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.  Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Gareth Candlin (Assistant Director of Inclusive and Green Growth) via email on [email protected] to arrange an informal conversation.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 5 November 2025