Chief Planning Officer

• Chief_Planning_Officer_JD_SBC_March_26

Please apply online via the link provided.

Chief Planning Officer

Create Lasting Impact

Senior planners often reach a point where they want more than delivering individual schemes, they want to shape places, and inspire placemakers. This role offers exactly that.

Shape the Future of Our Borough – Chief Planning Officer

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership position where your expertise and judgement will directly influence how our borough grows and evolves for generations to come. This role places you at the centre of strategic decision-making, community impact, and place-shaping.

As Chief Planning Officer, you will provide professional leadership for the planning service, setting the strategic direction for the Local Plan and ensuring consistently high standards across a committed team of 38. You will be a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a visionary leader who understands that effective planning underpins a strong local economy and sustainable communities.

Why Join Us?

• Influence & Legacy
  As the professional lead on complex planning cases and policy development, your work will leave a tangible, long-term impact on the borough.

• Work–Life Balance
  We prioritise outcomes over presenteeism, offering a culture that genuinely supports balance and flexibility.

• A Supportive Culture
  You’ll join an organisation built on honesty, empathy, and collaboration - where working together truly matters.

What We’re Looking For

An experienced planning leader with an excellent understanding of planning policy and law, strong strategic judgement, and a genuine passion for creating resilient, sustainable places.

About Swale Borough Council:

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.

• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.

• Free parking

• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities

• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.

• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

• Annual flu vaccine

• Cycle to work scheme

• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping

• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals

• A professional fee payment, if required for the role