Salary: £65,872 - £68,775 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week   

Location: Civic Centre, Carlisle

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

Cumberland’s Thriving Place service is driving ambitious plans to create healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable communities. Our Development Management team is central to this work, delivering high‑quality planning services and enabling major development and regeneration. We’re now seeking an experienced Development Management Manager to lead planning activity across one of our key areas.

Bring your planning career to a place where balance, flexibility and wellbeing truly matter. You’ll enjoy hybrid working, the freedom to shape your week, and a generous annual leave package — with the option to buy even more. Add in an outstanding local government pension with an 18.3% employer contribution, plus assistance with RTPI membership fees, and you’ve got a role that supports your future as well as your day‑to‑day.

Considering a move? Cumberland offers an appealing mix of vibrant towns, beautiful coastal scenery and easy access to stunning natural landscapes — creating a fantastic setting for both work and life. You can also enjoy a great quality of life in one of England’s more affordable housing areas.

For candidates moving to Cumberland to take up the position, a Relocation Allowance may be available subject to meeting the qualifying criteria.

About the role

You will provide strategic leadership for Development Management, ensuring consistent, high‑quality decision‑making and excellent service delivery. Working with planning professionals, developers, communities, and elected Members, you’ll shape the future of our places and support major projects across the region.

What you’ll do

• Lead, manage, and develop planning teams to deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• Oversee all planning applications, including major and complex proposals.
• Ensure compliance with planning legislation, national policy, and local plans.
• Represent the service at planning committees and public meetings.
• Support major development and regeneration projects.
• Drive service improvements, innovation, and excellent customer experience.
• Manage service budgets and oversee developer contributions.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, partners, and community groups.

About you

A chartered Town Planner (RTPI or equivalent), you will bring substantial experience in Development Management and team leadership, underpinned by a strong understanding of UK planning legislation and policy. You will have excellent communication, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to manage complex applications and politically sensitive cases. Alongside this, you will be highly skilled in project management and proficient in the use of planning and GIS systems.

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Iain Fairlamb by email at Iain.Fairlamb@cumberland.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.  You must include a cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the role. Please upload this along with your CV.

Closing date: 30th April 2026

Interview date: To be confirmed

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council

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