Service Manager (Development Management)
Our organisation
Centrally located in the Thames Gateway, Gravesham Borough Council provides a range of services to over 105,000 people and 3,000 businesses.
Gravesham Borough has a number of unique assets which makes it an attractive location for businesses and residents:
- World class connectivity via High Speed 1
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Metropolitan Green Belt
- Sites of international biodiversity importance
- Diverse and entrepreneurial population
- A range of heritage assets – maritime, military, industrial and rural
- High profile projects and challenges
- The Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is creating a 21st century Garden City where people will want to live and work.
- Involvement in a number of National Strategic Infrastructure proposals
At the same time, our adopted Core Strategy sets a compelling vision for how the borough is going to evolve whilst ensuring that local people benefit from the opportunities created by development.
The role
Development Management is a priority, frontline service within the Council and has extensive engagement with our elected members, residents, businesses and other stakeholders and, as such, we are looking for a highly skilled and motivated individual to take the service forward.
As the successful candidate, you will act as lead professional for the Councils Development Management and Planning Enforcement process and to have overall responsibility for the ensuring the council meets all legal, democratic and statutory responsibilities in relation to the work of the Service.
You will also lead, manage and develop the strategic approach and operational delivery of the Development Management Service which consists of:
- Major applications
- Minor applications
- Planning enforcement
- Technical Support
Essential qualifications / experience / knowledge
These are set out in the job description and person specification and include:
- A degree or equivalent professional qualification in Town Planning or related discipline
- Corporate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
In return we offer you
Childcare vouchers and discounts
Government-approved, tax-efficient way of paying for childcare. You can use vouchers to pay for a wide variety of childcare for children up to the age of 16. Discounts at selected retailers in the town centre and reduced membership at local Leisure Centres.
Holiday entitlement
A generous holiday entitlement, plus paid bank holidays.
Training
In-house and external training including non-qualification, Continued Personal Development (CPD), NVQ and other qualification training.
Employee Assistance Programme
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free and confidential support service, offering you unlimited access to advice and information as well as coaching and counselling where appropriate.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the service is there to help you manage all of life's events and support you through the challenges. Their expert advisers are there to help, whenever you need them. Support on the telephone, online and face to face.
Pensions
A very secure pension scheme which both you and we pay into. More information can be found on the Local Government Pension Scheme website.
Occupational health
An on-site Occupational Health Advisor. We have an occupational health service provided by East Kent Hospitals University Foundation NHS Trust. The service is delivered by a team of health professionals who specialise in occupational medicine and deal with the relationship between your work and your health. Occupational Health also works with us to resolve any issues in the workplace and also to ensure that well-being at work is maintained.
Important Information
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile
If you would like to have an informal discussion please call Wendy Lane, Assistant Director (planning) on 01474 337401 or Kevin Burbidge, Director (Planning and Development) on 01474 337585.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Gravesham Borough Council is working towards equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.