Local Government Jobs

Planning Manager / Policy Planner (RTPI)

Our two clients are forward thinking local authorities, based in one of the most attractive areas of the country. They are now looking for a Shared Planning Policy Service professional, who is a competent and enthusiastic person who is able to communicate well at all levels. An excellent benefits package is on offer including a final salary pension scheme.

Position: Shared Planning Policy Service Manager
Location: Based between Abingdon and Wallingford, South Oxfordshire

Benefits: Final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance, numerous well-being initiatives.

Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 26 March
Interview date: Wednesday 14 April

ROLE:
To work corporately and ensure that service and operational objectives of each council are met, and that all customers receive services which provide improvement and value for money. To provide effective leadership and development for the teams, and to encourage best practice in a joint working arrangement. And to facilitate informed decisions by ensuring that officers and councillors are appraised of issues and receive relevant, best practice professional advice

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To manage a joint, proactive, multi-disciplinary professional team of specialist staff (approx. 40 people), and ensure work is undertaken in accordance with statutory procedures/deadlines, provide consistent outputs and support the delivery of the other planning/council teams.
• To lead on, project manage and deliver on time each council’s planning policy framework (local development framework or successor) , supplementary planning documents /development briefs and masterplan or any joint planning policy framework, including consultation and engagement of the local community and reviewing reports/background papers
• To ensure business support is consistently provided and offered proactively across both councils and to drive continuous improvement to deliver improved service to customers and offer training.
  d* To negotiate with developers and determine applications, give professional advice to internal/external customers and advise on transport matters, write and present reports to cabinet/executive, run workshops, contribute to strategies, policies and initiatives, act as expert witness in planning appeals and presenting the council’s case at inquiries, examinations, tribunals.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• A corporate manager who is energetic, determined and positive enough to develop the joint working arrangements of the councils.
• Has a relevant professional planning qualification or equivalent qualification and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• An in-depth knowledge and management experience of planning policy or a relevant planning service team and a good understanding of operational issues and experience of achieving service outcomes in planning.
• Proven success in leading, developing a service team, with particular reference to customer-focus in delivering that service, performance management and budget monitoring.
• A successful track record of operating in a political context and winning the respect, trust and confidence of councillors, staff, customers and partners, demonstrates a commitment to self and staff development and knowledge of equality and diversity issues as they impact on the service and team.

Please note that all candidates who meet the essential criteria will be contacted via email and asked to complete an on-line application process. You will need to complete this process before the closing date otherwise your application will not be considered.

Because our clients application process consists of completing a detailed application form please be aware that if you apply within 48 hours of the closing date we may not be able to process your application quickly enough in order for you to complete the final stage.

You may have experience in the following roles: Shared Planning Policy Service Manager, Planning Manager, Policy Planner, Urban Planning Manager, Development Control Planner, Spatial Planning Manager, Planning Policy Manager, Planning Consultant, Transport Planner,

This vacancy is being advertised by EasyWebRecruitment.com, the UK’s leading Flat Fee Recruitment Agency. The services advertised by EasyWebRecruitment.com are those of an employment agency. Ref: EWR

No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, and we confirm that we will gladly accept applications from persons of any age for this role.