The Place Directorate is responsible for shaping the everyday environment and quality of life across our borough. 

From planning and infrastructure to housing, green spaces, and community services, our teams deliver essential services that impact everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

To support this vital work, we offer clear career pathways and rich development opportunities through the Place Academy. This structured learning framework ensures all staff - whether new starters or seasoned professionals - have access to the right training, qualifications, and progression routes to succeed and grow in their roles.

Explore our career pathways

We offer opportunities across a wide range of services:

• Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
• Environmental Services
• Housing Services
• Strategic Planning & Development Control
• Economic Development
• Library Services
• Leisure, Parks & Open Spaces
• Parking Services

Learning and development

We invest in your success through:

• The Place academy – a tailored framework for role-specific learning and career progression
• Leadership essentials and coaching – available at all levels to build confident, values-led leaders
• Professional qualifications and apprenticeships – from horticulture to project management to chartered landscape architecture
• Onboarding and induction – structured programmes including shadowing, mentoring, and supervision
• Technical training – including planning legislation, parking notice processing, and contractor management

Find out more about our Place Directorate Learning and development offer

Supporting your growth

Through annual personal development planning and our performance and wellbeing scheme, we align your goals with the wider ambitions of the council. Staff also have the opportunity to lead team learning initiatives, shadow senior colleagues, and take part in coaching and mentoring programmes.