Area Manager - Development Management
CompanySomerset Council
Location
Taunton, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeInternship
Posted At4/29/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (56.0%).
Occupation TypeResearch and development (r&d) managers
Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£54,400
(£27.90 per hour)
Occupation rate applies
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
Disclaimer: Hunt UK Visa Sponsors aggregates job listings from publicly available sources, such as search engines, to assist with your job hunting. We do not claim affiliation with Somerset Council. For the most up-to-date job details, please visit the official website by clicking "Apply Now."
Description
Salary: Grade 8, £63,528 per annum (which includes a time limited recruitment allowance of £14,426 per annum ending 28/02/2027.).
Shape the future of Somerset
Join Somerset Council – one of the largest unitary authorities in the country – and work on some of the most varied and high‑profile planning projects in the UK. From major regeneration and nationally significant infrastructure to town centres, rural development and housing growth, you’ll help shape places that matter.
Following local government reorganisation, we’re a single, ambitious council serving nearly 600,000 residents. Our scale and stability offer excellent career development across Development Management, Enforcement, Planning Policy, and Minerals & Waste – including work linked to Hinkley Point C and the Somerset-wide Local Plan.
You’ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking planning service with embedded flexibility, strong professional support and real opportunities to grow.
What We Offer
Role Summary
You will lead and manage two Development Management area teams, ensuring high‑quality, timely and lawful planning decisions across Somerset. The role provides strategic leadership, supports Planning Committees and helps drive service improvement.
What You'll Do - Key Responsibilities
Shape the future of Somerset
Join Somerset Council – one of the largest unitary authorities in the country – and work on some of the most varied and high‑profile planning projects in the UK. From major regeneration and nationally significant infrastructure to town centres, rural development and housing growth, you’ll help shape places that matter.
Following local government reorganisation, we’re a single, ambitious council serving nearly 600,000 residents. Our scale and stability offer excellent career development across Development Management, Enforcement, Planning Policy, and Minerals & Waste – including work linked to Hinkley Point C and the Somerset-wide Local Plan.
You’ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking planning service with embedded flexibility, strong professional support and real opportunities to grow.
What We Offer
- High‑profile, complex and varied planning enforcement work
- Clear career development and progression
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Supportive management and a strong learning culture
- Generous leave, pension and wellbeing benefits
Role Summary
You will lead and manage two Development Management area teams, ensuring high‑quality, timely and lawful planning decisions across Somerset. The role provides strategic leadership, supports Planning Committees and helps drive service improvement.
What You'll Do - Key Responsibilities
- Lead two area planning teams and oversee complex planning applications.
- Act as lead officer at Area Planning Committees.
- Ensure performance targets, quality standards and income are achieved.
What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Knowledge of statutory planning regulations and related environmental legislation
- Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools
- Operational and managerial experience of delivering local authority planning and development management services
- Experience of leading and managing development management teams
- Experience of designing and implementing service transformation and improvement
- Significant experience of leading, managing and developing large teams and service areas
- Significant experience of performance management within a corporately and externally accountable environment
- Experience of providing professional advice on complex and controversial planning applications to committees
- Experience of giving evidence at public inquiries and/or development plan examinations
- Significant experience of handling customer complaints and enquiries
- Ability to advise and guide senior management and elected members on complex and specialist planning matters
- Ability to provide clear, professional advice and guidance
- Strong communication skills and personal resilience when dealing with the public, stakeholders and elected members
- High attention to detail, particularly when checking reports and decisions
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with partner organisations
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Knowledge and experience of providing strategic input to wider place‑based policy development and strategy
- Permanent position, 37 hours a week.
- This is a senior leadership role with significant responsibility, public visibility and influence across the Council and wider county, reporting to the Chief Planner.
- Flexible and Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the Office).
- 30 day’s annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
- Extensive CPD and peer support.
- Opportunity to work on a wide range of interesting projects, offering unique opportunities to develop your experience and skills.
- Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.
A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.