Head of Planning and Development

RSPB is seeking a Head of Planning and Development to lead a team of planners in Edinburgh, Scotland. The role involves influencing planning policies and decisions to address the nature and climate emergency, engaging with various stakeholders. The position requires an experienced chartered planner with strong leadership skills. While the role can be remote, regular travel to Edinburgh and occasional travel across Scotland and the UK is necessary.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead our small team of professional planners, providing advice to the wide network of RSPB staff across Scotland, working with Conservation Science and Legal colleagues, leading on our engagement in major on and offshore development proposals, working right at the heart of Scotland’s planning system, with officials, Ministers, partner eNGOs, and other senior planning system decision-makers and influencers, to ensure that planning policy and decisions help tackle the nature and climate emergency in Scotland.

RSPB Scotland is the country’s largest nature conservation organisation, and is active at all levels of the terrestrial and marine planning systems, from developing and lobbying for new laws and policies, to engaging with many of the most significant planning applications each year.

We are looking for someone to manage and lead our small team of professional planners, which works closely with other (marine, land use, parliamentary, and campaigns) teams engaged in a broad spectrum of terrestrial and marine policy and advocacy work. In addition to providing advice to RSPB staff across Scotland, you will lead our engagement with the most significant planning applications, seeking to influence and ensure better outcomes for nature.

You will be an experienced chartered planner (MRTPI) or other comparably qualified and experienced land use professional, with leadership experience and a passion for both the development of policy and for influencing the highest profile development proposals to benefit nature and climate, on land and at sea.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills / capabilities:
• Knowledge and appreciation of how to use Scotland’s terrestrial and marine planning systems to further the interests of nature.
• Team leadership and management attributes to ensure organisational objectives are met, and team accountabilities are realised.
• Collaborative approach to building relationships with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve the best results for nature.
• Presentation and report writing skills to effectively influence corporate direction and priorities.
• Mentoring and coaching skills to encourage colleagues to make their optimal contribution to the work of the wider team.
• Understanding and appreciation of how to take advantage of advocacy, campaigning, and funding opportunities.

Essential Qualifications
• Chartered planner (MRTPI) or other comparably qualified and experienced land use professional.

The role can be based anywhere, but regular travel to Edinburgh will be required. Occasional travel elsewhere in Scotland will be required, as well as to the rest of the UK, including occasional overnight stays. Very occasional extended periods of working away from home may be required.

Additional Information

This is a permanent full time role, working 37.5 hours per week, although some flexibility over working hours can be offered for the right candidate or candidates. Job shared.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 28th/29th of July 2025. For further information please contact tracey.miller@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form. In the cover letter section of the application form you will be able to tell us how you meet the criteria set above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend that you read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.

We reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications have been received.