Service Director - Planning, Economy & Culture

Wokingham Borough Council are looking for a dynamic and inspiring Service Director for Planning, Economy & Culture, to join our Directorate Place and Growth Leadership Team.

The Opportunity

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Service Director for Planning, Economy & Culture to join our proactive Leadership Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

As the Service Director for Planning, Economy & Culture, you will be responsible for leading and managing the Planning Policy, Infrastructure Delivery & Projects, Strategic Development, Development Management, Economy & Culture, and Building Control Solutions teams to achieve the service's objectives.

You will be a lead officer on the Creating Communities agenda working collaboratively and in partnership across the Council and with external stakeholders, to deliver a joined-up approach to place making including the delivery of key major new communities. Overseeing the progression of the Local Plan to adoption will be one of your key achievements in the role as will continuing to provide an excellent development management service.

Overseeing actions set out in our Borough wide economic strategy and town centre strategy will also be a high priority as will be working with other Berkshire councils to support the Berkshire Prosperity Board and Berkshire wide Economic Strategy.

Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more! 

The Person

As our Service Director for Planning, Economy & Culture, you will be an enthusiastic leader, committed to the improvement and quality of services provided to our residents.

You will inspire change and support high developing teams that can challenge the ‘status quo’ driving efficiencies where required.

Your visible leadership will impact beyond individual service areas and organisational boundaries to create solutions, build relationships, and inspire ideas, strengthening credibility with partners, stakeholders and the wider community.

Our Vision

As part of our vision within Place & Growth, we are delighted to continue building a permanent senior leadership team to deliver key strategic improvements across our services. This approach will further strengthen our workforce in our bid to ensuring Wokingham Borough is a great place to live, learn, work, and grow and a great place to do business.

Our progressive and ‘be inspiring’ mindset, drives our ambition to make a difference and provide a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive environment for all colleagues, businesses and residents across the borough.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible, increasingly diverse community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you are a strategic leader with a passion for making a positive impact, we would like to hear from you. Click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an informal discussion with Giorgio Framalicco, Director of Place & Growth, please contact Lee Partridge or Mathilda Barker from the Recruitment Team on recruit@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 16^th March 2025, 11pm

For the interview schedule and process, please click the link at the bottom of this page. 

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. 

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.     

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.