Head of Strategic Planning

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and inspiring planning professional to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Strategic Planning. This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in protecting and enhancing one of the nation’s most valued and iconic protected landscapes.

As Head of Strategic Planning, you will lead the Cotswold National Landscape’s planning function, ensuring that the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Cotswolds is embedded at the heart of planning policy, decision-making, and development across the area.

You will provide expert strategic advice and guidance to local planning authorities and other key stakeholders, helping them to fulfil their statutory duty under Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Through effective advocacy and influence, you will champion the interests of the National Landscape and ensure its special qualities are recognised and safeguarded.

A key part of the role will be building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with the 15 local authorities that cover the Cotswold National Landscape, as well as government departments, national agencies, and a wide range of partner organisations.

As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, helping to shape its future and maximise its impact. We are looking for someone who combines technical planning expertise with strong leadership, partnership-building, and communication skills, and who shares our ambition to ensure the organisation continues to deliver far beyond its size.

We operate a hybrid working system with the general expectation for the post to based at the office for a minimum of two days per week. The role will include travel throughout the Cotswolds National Landscape.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity please contact Rebecca Waite, CEO at [email protected]

Working with us

Being a member of the Cotswolds National Landscape team gives you the opportunity to contribute directly to making a positive difference to the work we do looking after the Cotswolds. We work with wide range of communities, groups, and organisations devoted to looking after this unique and special area of the country. We want to make sure this is a positive, vibrant organisation – committed to delivering our aims and objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Equal Opportunities

We aim for an inclusive and equal opportunities recruitment process, and we welcome applications from everyone. Each role has specific requirements – and an academic degree or equivalent is not always an essential requirement. We will accept supporting statements in written format, short film format, or voice recordings. All supporting statements will be considered equally. Whatever your method, please ensure that you clearly demonstrate your skills, experience, and suitability – and why you want the job. We welcome applications from people who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds or who are living with health conditions or disabilities.

Diversity Statement

We’re building a culture where diversity is valued, and we can all be ourselves. We still have work to do, but are strongly committed to inclusive practices which demonstrate fairness, equality, and anti-racism in everything we do. We will not tolerate less favourable treatment of anyone, especially those with legally protected characteristics, and welcome applications from all sections of communities.