Head of Place and Sustainability

Carmarthenshire County Council is embarking on an exciting period of change, growth, and regeneration – and we are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Place and Sustainability. This senior role sits at the heart of our ambition to deliver sustainable, resilient, and thriving communities across one of Wales’ most distinctive and forward-thinking counties.

As the Head of Place and Sustainability, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice to the Corporate Management Team and Elected Members.
• Drive the delivery of sustainable development, regeneration priorities and the Council’s Well-being Objectives, aligned to the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
• Lead the planning service and statutory Local Planning Authority functions, including development planning, minerals, conservation, biodiversity and building control.
• Strengthen the Council’s approach to environmental sustainability, carbon reduction and climate-resilience, supporting our Net Zero Carbon ambition.
• Oversee strategic and operational management of key service areas and develop policies and frameworks for sustainable energy, land use, and environmental improvement.
• Develop strong partnerships with Corporate Joint Committee partners, public sector bodies, investors, developers and voluntary-sector organisations to maximise opportunities for Carmarthenshire and the region.
• Lead major programmes, options appraisals and complex projects, ensuring robust financial planning, risk management and effective engagement.
• Shape a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and collaborative working across a division of approximately 120 staff and a net budget of around £8m.

This is a highly influential post that plays a central role in shaping the long-term economic, environmental and community well-being of Carmarthenshire.

About You

We are looking for an inspirational, strategic leader with:

• A degree-level qualification in a relevant professional field.
• Evidence of senior leadership experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Deep understanding of planning, sustainable development, environmental policy, enforcement, economic development and climate change.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to navigate sensitive and high-profile issues with professionalism and diplomacy.
• A proven ability to lead organisational change, deliver service improvements and drive efficiency through innovation and technology.
• Excellent communication, partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to the Council’s core values and behaviours — working as One Team, taking responsibility, listening, adapting to change and striving for excellence.
• Welsh language ability to Level 3 spoken and written (with reasonable support available to achieve this level if needed).