Development Management Team Leader

Job Introduction We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all. The starting salary for this position is £61,784 per annum based on working 36 hours per week. The office base for this role is Victoria Gate in Woking . Our Offer to You 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service Optionto buy up to 10 days ofadditionalannual leave A generous local government salary related pension Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year Paternity,adoptionand dependents leave An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents. About the Role Our team is responsible for delivering Surrey County Council’s statutory planning function as Minerals and Waste Planning Authority and in relation to the County Council’s own development (under Regulation 3). We pride ourselves on providing an efficient and professional service to applicants, as well as assisting in the delivery of development which the County Council needs to provide and improve its services. Surrey County Council is also on an exciting transformation journey, aiming to become a leading‑edge authority where no one is left behind. You will join as the County Council prepares to disaggregate its services into East and West Surrey unitary authorities. As one of two Team Leaders, you will assist and deputise for the Development Management Manager in leading and directing the County Council's statutory development management functions, including assisting in advising the Planning and Regulatory Committee in the exercise of its planning responsibilities. You will lead and manage the work of the Planning Development Team jointly with another Planning Development Team Leader in the processing and determination of planning applications. The role requires the ability to manage and develop a team of specialist and professional staff. The Team Leader needs to have a secure grasp of relevant planning and technical matters and be able to communicate effectively and maintain good relationships with applicants, consultants, Members and the public. The successful candidate will need to be sensitive to the political dimensions of a particularly controversial area of work and should be able to work under pressure with drive, commitment and enthusiasm. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours : Proven experience managing specialist or technical services, including accountability for service quality, standards and outcomes Demonstrated ability to lead and manage professionally qualified teams, ensuring high levels of professionalism, performance and development Strong technical or specialist knowledge relevant to the service area, with evidence of applying this to complex assessment, regulatory decisions or major projects High‑level judgement and decision‑making skills, operating confidently within broad policy frameworks and exercising professional discretion Effective partnership and stakeholder engagement, with experience working collaboratively across internal teams and external agencies To apply please submit a CV and a response to our 4 application questions (no more than 250 words for each) What skills do you consider you possess that makes you a good candidate for this job? What do you think are the main tasks of the Team Leader role in Development Management at Surrey County Council? How would you approach organising your time and resources to address and complete these tasks in a timely manner? Describe how, in this role, you would be able to address and incorporate the aims of The Surrey Way. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. Contact Us Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Dawn Horton-Baker, Development Management Manager, via email. This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The job advert closes at 23:59 on Monday the 25th May 2026 , with interviews to follow. Local Government Organisation (LGR) Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council Our Commitment We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.