Head of Development Management & Building Control

Head of Development Management & Building Control
South London | Hybrid Working
£700 PD Inside IR 35 - 6 months - Hybrid

An established local authority is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Development Management & Building Control to lead one of the organisation’s most critical regulatory and regeneration functions offering a rate of up to £700 PD Inside IR 35 for a 6 month contract to be based onsite 3 x PW in South West London.

This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an accomplished planning or building control professional to shape the future growth, regeneration, and placemaking strategy across a diverse borough, while leading a large multi-disciplinary service responsible for Development Management, Building Control, Planning Enforcement, Conservation, Arboriculture, and Land Charges.

You will act as the lead professional advisor on Development Management matters, working closely with senior leadership, elected members, developers, and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality development outcomes that align with the borough’s long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Development Management & Building Control services across multiple specialist teams


• Act as the organisation’s lead advisor on Development Management matters


• Drive regeneration initiatives and ensure delivery aligns with the wider Development Plan


• Lead negotiations on major and complex planning applications, Section 106 agreements, and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs)


• Oversee planning enforcement, conservation, arboriculture, and land charges functions


• Manage significant capital and revenue budgets and maximise service income generation


• Provide strategic leadership to Planning Committees and deliver member training


• Ensure compliance with evolving planning, building control, and fire safety legislation


• Build strong relationships with councillors, developers, emergency services, and external agencies


• Lead service modernisation, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Extensive senior-level experience within Development Management and/or Building Control within the public sector is a must have.


• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, building regulations, and local government procedures is a must have.


• Proven leadership experience managing large multidisciplinary teams is a must have.


• Experience working within a politically sensitive environment and engaging with elected members


• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing complex budgets and income-generating services


• Ability to manage high-profile planning applications, enforcement matters, and public inquiries


• Demonstrated experience driving service transformation and performance improvement

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline


• Membership of the RTPI


• Management qualification or equivalent leadership experience

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