Development Manager

Salary: £64,021 – £69,728 Hybrid, typically 2–3 days a week in Havant

Make a visible difference to a place that’s ready to move forward.

If you care about supporting planners to do their best work, this is a role with real purpose. The Development Management service oversees the processing of planning applications, including complex major developments, ensuring they align with our long-term strategic goals for regeneration and sustainable development. The role will manage an established service, providing clear leadership, consistency and a renewed sense of direction.

The role

You’ll lead our DM team day to day, ensuring we make good, timely decisions and provide a reliable service to residents, Members and developers. You’ll manage a group of planners and technical officers, support them through complex cases, and make sure the service has the clarity and structure it needs.

What you’ll lead and deliver

• Consistent, well-reasoned planning decisions that stand up to scrutiny.
• Clear expectations around performance, case management and customer experience.
• Improvements to processes, workflows and reporting so the service runs more smoothly.
• Constructive, professional relationships with Members and applicants.
• A supportive team environment with coaching, guidance and day-to-day problem-solving.
• Delivery that supports the Local Plan and wider regeneration of the borough.

About you

You’re an experienced DM professional who understands the pressures and realities of the work. You’re steady, fair and good at building confidence in a team. You know how to keep cases moving, how to balance risk, and how to support officers while also raising standards. You want a role where you can make a practical impact and help a service feel proud of the quality it delivers.

For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact our executive search partners GatenbySanderson: Kembi Coakelin kembi.coakelin@gatenbysanderson.com and Louise Bickley louise.bickley@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date: Sunday 26th April