Interim Policy Manager

An ambitious local authority partnership in the South West is seeking an experienced Interim Policy Manager to play a pivotal role in progressing a Strategic / Joint Local Plan at a critical stage of preparation.

This is a senior interim opportunity for a policy professional who can provide clear leadership, pace and technical direction across a complex plan‑making programme involving multiple authorities, stakeholders and political priorities.

The Role
Working at the heart of the joint planning team, you will take responsibility for coordinating and driving forward the Strategic Local Plan, ensuring it is robust, deliverable and aligned with national planning policy. The role will involve overseeing evidence base work, managing consultants, and providing expert advice to senior officers and members across partner authorities.

You will lead on key stages of plan production, including consultation, regulation compliance, and preparation for examination, while balancing competing demands such as housing growth, infrastructure delivery, environmental constraints and strategic cross‑boundary matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the Strategic Local Plan programme and timetable
• Coordinating joint working between partner councils and external stakeholders
• Overseeing evidence studies and consultant commissions
• Providing high‑level policy advice to senior officers and elected members
• Ensuring policy is sound, defensible and aligned with national guidance
• Managing officers within the policy team and contributing to wider service leadership

About You
You will be an experienced UK local authority planning policy professional with demonstrable involvement in Local Plan or Joint/Strategic Local Plan preparation. You’ll be confident operating at a senior level, navigating political environments and offering pragmatic, solution‑focused advice on complex policy issues.

This interim role would suit someone who can quickly establish credibility, bring structure and momentum to a demanding programme, and add value from day one.

If you’d like to be considered for current or upcoming policy roles, please send us your CV. Prefer an informal chat first? Feel free to email George.lake@oysterpartnership.com or call 07441 472416

My LinkedIn can also be reached here: George Lake | LinkedIn