Head of Casework Quality and Standards

Job summary

Lead quality at the heart of the planning system. Reporting to the Chief Planning Inspector, you will establish and embed a new organisation-wide quality framework, drive professional excellence across the Inspector Profession, and help ensure that our decisions, recommendations and reports consistently meet the highest standards.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

We're looking for an experienced and accomplished Planning Inspector, Head of Planning or other senior planning professional looking to make an impact beyond individual cases who wants to influence quality and standards across the Planning Inspectorate and the wider planning system. You will bring professional credibility, sound judgement and a passion for excellence, with the ability to work confidently with senior leaders, Inspectors and government stakeholders. This is an opportunity to shape how we develop our people, assure quality and uphold the high professional standards that underpin trusted planning decisions across England. As a member of the Chief Planning Inspector Unit leadership team, you will help shape organisational priorities, influence service delivery across the Inspectorate and lead change through collaboration rather than direct authority.

This role is about improving quality at scale. You'll be balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery, influencing experienced professionals across different services, and ensuring that quality, consistency and professional excellence remain at the heart of decision-making during a period of significant change for the planning system.

One week you could be shaping the Inspectorate's future quality standards, the next leading improvements to Inspector training, advising the Chief Planning Inspector on emerging risks, or working with senior leaders to embed learning from casework. This is an influential role at the heart of the Inspector Profession, with the opportunity to shape the quality and consistency of planning decisions across England.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand-new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10-minute walk away. To provide senior leadership visibility and collaboration with colleagues, you can expect to be in the office at least once a week.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Full or Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or professional body relevant to the land use planning and related built and natural environment work of a Planning Inspector.
• Build credibility and influence with senior professionals, including Inspectors, to drive improvements in quality and consistency of casework.
• Proven track record of leading training, driving quality, improving operational delivery and delivering results through others.
• A creative and dynamic thinker with experience of planning, developing and delivering multiple projects, working with key stakeholders and government departments.
• Extensive experience in performance reporting, project management and service improvement within complex organisations.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Memberships

•Full or Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or professional body relevant to the land use planning and related built and natural environment work of a Planning Inspector.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £77,741, Planning Inspectorate contributes £22,521 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (750 words max):The personal statement