DM Team Leader - Minerals and Waste

Interim Team Leader (Minerals & Waste Planning)

The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.

Central England | Hybrid Working | 6-Month Contract | £65 per Hour

A Local Authority in Central England is seeking an experienced Interim Team Leader (Minerals & Waste Planning) to provide leadership, oversight, and technical support within a busy Minerals and Waste Planning service.

This is a management-focused role suited to a senior planning professional who can confidently oversee a varied caseload of minerals and waste applications, provide direction on complex proposals, and support planning officers in delivering high-quality and timely decisions. You will play a key role in ensuring applications progress efficiently through the system while providing clear guidance on challenging, high-profile, and politically sensitive matters.

The Opportunity

Reporting into senior management, you will be responsible for overseeing minerals and waste caseloads, supporting officers with complex applications, and ensuring the consistent delivery of an effective planning service.

This role requires a strong technical planning background combined with excellent leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills. You will provide expert advice on mineral extraction, quarry developments, restoration schemes, waste management facilities, recycling operations, energy recovery developments, and associated environmental considerations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction on minerals and waste planning applications and ensure cases progress efficiently through the system
• Support, mentor, and manage planning officers across a varied caseload
• Review and sign off complex planning reports and recommendations
• Act as Lead Officer at Planning Committee when required
• Provide advice on complex and contentious minerals and waste planning applications
• Assess proposals relating to mineral extraction, quarry extensions, restoration schemes, recycling facilities, waste transfer stations, landfill, and energy recovery developments
• Provide guidance on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) developments and associated technical matters
• Escalate significant issues and risks appropriately
• Support service delivery, performance management, and workload prioritisation
• Work closely with senior officers, members, operators, applicants, statutory consultees, and stakeholders
• Demonstrate strong political awareness and sound professional judgement in decision-making

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive Development Management and/or Minerals & Waste Planning experience within a UK Local Authority environment
• Previous management or team leadership experience within Planning
• Strong background dealing with complex minerals and waste applications and challenging development proposals
• Experience assessing proposals involving mineral extraction, restoration, recycling, waste management, and associated infrastructure xwzovoh
• Excellent understanding of the minerals and waste planning framework, including relevant national and local planning policy
• Experience working on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) developments and reviewing technical assessments
• Knowledge of environmental, transport, landscape, ecology, noise, dust, and restoration considerations associated with minerals and waste developments
• Excellent report writing, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills
• Confident presenting at committees and advising elected members
• RTPI membership desirable

Working Arrangements

• £65 per hour
• 6-month contract
• 37 hours per week
• Flexible working pattern
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Candidates must hold appropriate business-use vehicle insurance due to the nature of the role

The role will require office attendance once or twice per month alongside site visits across the authority area.