Newham Council is set to appoint a Director of Place-Making, a role created following a restructure in September 2025 that combined two existing positions at Tiers 2 & 3.
The Chief Officer Appointment Committee convened on Friday, 24 October 2025, to discuss delegating the appointment to an officer panel. According to the Public reports pack, this approach is considered appropriate given the nature of the role's creation.
The Public reports pack also states that, in accordance with the council's constitution, the committee may delegate the appointment of a non-statutory Chief Officer to an Officer panel by resolution. It was noted that a delegation to officers may be an appropriate and proportionate approach to concluding this selection process, with priority consideration to those who are eligible to express an interest.
The Director of Place-Making will have broad responsibilities, including:
- Strategic leadership for place-making across Newham
- Overseeing the council's planning functions
- Regeneration and housing delivery
- Capital investment and major programmes
- Strategic leadership of Our Newham services and adult education
- Delivery of the cultural portfolio
Candidates for the Director of Place-Making role are expected to possess a relevant degree or professional qualification, alongside a comprehensive knowledge of practical techniques relevant to the service. The person specification also highlights the need for a thorough, up-to-date understanding of regeneration and spatial planning frameworks, economic regeneration issues impacting inner-city areas, and the functions of a local authority.
The post holder will report to the Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy and Housing and manage professional, technical, and administrative staff. They will also be responsible for attracting and managing investment funds, including Section 106 monies and the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Furthermore, the Director will oversee the legal discharge of council planning, building control, highways/transportation, and land charges statutory responsibilities.
The proposed timetable for the appointment includes:
- Expressions of Interest: Week of 3 November 2025
- Officer Appointment Panel: Week of 10 November 2025
- Successful candidate offered post: Week of 17 November 2025
The officer appointment panel will be chaired by the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing, with the Lead Member for Inclusive Economy & Housing and a senior HR officer also participating. The panel's composition will adhere to the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels, as detailed in Appendix B Supplementary Guidance - Diverse Recruitment Panels.