Location
Aberdeen

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£69,765 per annum

About the Role
Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions and have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.

At DESNZ, we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work ensures clean energy for all, keeps bills down, and seizes opportunities to lead the world in new green industries.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Energy Infrastructure Planning Delivery (EIPD) team as a leader of one of our planning teams. Our team is central to delivering energy security, price stability, and Net Zero carbon objectives, a priority for the Secretary of State and critical to both the Clean Energy Mission and the Growth Mission.

As Head of Planning, you will lead a team of planning casework managers, ensuring casework is completed to statutory deadlines. You will provide advice on resolving casework issues, review decision documentation, and support senior leadership within EIPD. You will work closely with environmental specialists and lawyers to provide Ministers with informed advice on nationally significant energy infrastructure developments.

This role requires managing multiple complex casework pieces, handling competing priorities, and working at pace to meet hard deadlines agreed with Ministers. You will assess complex, technical, and often conflicting information to advise on risks associated with consenting proposed developments.

You will report to the Head of Energy Infrastructure Planning & Innovation and collaborate closely with other managers to deliver DESNZ requirements and support team wellbeing and development.

We offer a culture of flexible working, including job sharing, homeworking, and compressed hours, alongside a hybrid working model where staff spend 40-60% of their time in the office. Benefits include a world-class Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme, a minimum of 25 days paid annual leave (increasing to 30), extensive learning and professional development opportunities, and access to a range of employee discounts.

Our DESNZ Values—bold, collaborative, inclusive, and learning—are embedded in everything we do, creating a culture where everyone can thrive.

Experience
Proven experience of planning consenting processes.
Experience working at pace to deliver a timely, customer-focused service.
Ability to explain and communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively.
Experience working within teams and engaging with senior management.

About you
Strong leadership and line management skills, with experience managing teams (up to 6 people).
Ability to set personal development plans and objectives, manage performance, and support team wellbeing.
Skilled in assessing complex, technical, and conflicting information to advise on risk.
Professional expertise with strong influencing and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple pieces of casework and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications
Knowledge and experience of consenting processes under the Planning Act 2008 is desirable.
Previous line management and leadership experience is desirable.

Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing