Service Director - Development & Economy
Salary: £95,953 – £106,769
Help us achieve outstanding outcomes for our children & young people
Central Bedfordshire is growing fast, and the choices made now will shape the place for decades. New homes, land, infrastructure investment and town centre renewal all sit alongside strong local identities and high expectations from residents. Growth here is not abstract, it is deeply rooted in place.
As Service Director – Development & Economy, you will lead the council’s approach to planning, development, and economic growth at a pivotal point. This is a role that sits at the heart of the organisation’s relationship with its future. You will be responsible for shaping how growth happens, where it happens, and how it delivers real benefit for communities.
You will oversee planning and development services that manage complex applications. You will work with members, developers, communities, and partners to navigate competing priorities and unlock development that is viable and aligned with the council’s ambitions. Alongside this, you will provide leadership on economic development, helping to support jobs, skills, and investment across a diverse and evolving area.
Central Bedfordshire is not a blank canvas. It is made up of villages, market towns, new settlements and established communities, each with their own concerns and aspirations. This role requires someone who can hold that complexity, who understands that growth is as much about trust and legitimacy as it is about policy and process.
You will need to be politically astute and comfortable operating at the boundary between strategy and delivery. You will advise senior members, contribute to corporate leadership, and represent the council externally. You will also lead and support large professional teams, creating clarity of purpose and confidence in difficult environments.
We are looking for a senior leader with experience across development, planning, regeneration or economic growth, and a strong grasp of how local government shapes markets and places.
This is a role for someone motivated by shaping real places and long-term outcomes. Central Bedfordshire offers scale, pace, and the opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on a growing authority.
Important documents below:
Role Profile
Person Specification - Essential Criteria
Place and Communities Organisation Chart
The deadline for submission of your application is Midnight on Sunday 8th of February.
