Strategic Technical Lead; Majors

Strategic Technical Lead (Majors) Salary - £65,211 - £68,555 Overview

Are you a strategic thinker with deep technical planning expertise? Do you thrive on solving complex challenges and influencing major development outcomes? Are you ready to drive strategic technical leadership in a dynamic planning and environment service?

We’re seeking a highly experienced, passionate and forward-thinking Strategic Technical Lead to join our Planning and Environment team at Buckinghamshire Council. This is a unique opportunity to lead on some of the Council’s most significant and complex planning projects, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), and to shape the future of development across Buckinghamshire.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Major and Area Team Leaders and Major & Development Managers, alongside stakeholders, providing strategic direction and expert advice to elected members and committees. Planning Performance Agreements (PPA’s) are central to our delivery of major growth, and you be responsible for managing and developing the process alongside the Team Leaders.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact, ensuring our planning services support growth while protecting Buckinghamshire’s natural, built, and historic environment. If you have a passion for planning and a track record of delivering results, we want to hear from you.

Buckinghamshire Council is one of England’s ‘Big 8’ unitary authorities, covering 724 square miles of diverse landscapes and communities. We are a forward-thinking organisation, committed to delivering high-quality services and sustainable growth.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous four district authorities with the County Council to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are a forward-thinking organisation, committed to delivering high-quality services and sustainable growth. Our Planning and Environment service plays a vital role in delivering the Council’s strategic objectives.

The Majors Development Management team leads on complex planning applications, Planning Performance Agreements, and strategic infrastructure, working collaboratively with internal teams, developers, and communities to deliver high-quality outcomes. This role will work collaboratively with the rest of the Development Management to provide strategic direction and vision for the service to all stakeholders.

The Development Management Team also plays a crucial role in planning appeal inquiries and providing expert advice to elected members and committees, ensuring that the planning process is transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the community.

The team is proactive in driving service improvements and adopting innovative practices to enhance productivity and service delivery. With a strong emphasis on performance management and continuous professional development, the Buckinghamshire Council Major Development Management Team alongside the Development Management Area Teams strives to maintain a resilient and adaptable service that meets the evolving needs of the residents and supports the Council’s strategic objectives.

As a Strategic Technical Lead, you will provide expert leadership and technical guidance on complex and high-profile planning projects, ensuring the Council meets its statutory obligations and delivers on strategic objectives. You will act as the technical specialist within the Planning and Environment service, driving best practice and innovation across major applications, strategic growth initiatives, and nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Your role will involve shaping and influencing planning outcomes at a local and regional level, leading on complex casework and managing multi-disciplinary project teams. You will champion service improvements, including digital transformation and customer-focused solutions, to enhance efficiency, productivity, and the quality of service delivery. In addition, you will play a key role in cultural change initiatives aligned…