Area Manager – Development Management (South & East) (Grade 6)

Job Category: Planning
Job location:  Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA202HT, Somerset Council
Hours per week: 37

Start date: Immediate start

Salary: £61.24 per hour

Role purpose

Act as the lead officer and manager for two of the four Area Planning Committees leading the two teams of DM officers focused on delivering high quality development in Somerset.  The postholder will report to the Head of Service, will deputise for the Service Manager Development Management and will be required to ensure that the service performs to an excellent level that meets national/legal requirements and responds positively to transformational change and the expectations of a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge / Experience / Skills

Essential at full competence    Essential at recruitment

Knowledge

Knowledge of statutory regulations relating to planning and related functions (including environmental legislation and regulations                               

Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools 

Experience

Operational and managerial experience of the delivery of local authority planning services, development management functions and team leadership  

Experience of designing and implementing service transformation processes to deliver service change and improvement   

Significant experience of leading, managing and developing a large team and service area      

Significant experience of performance management in corporate context and external accountabilities         

Experience of providing professional advice on complex and controversial applications to planning committees                                

Knowledge of providing strategic input to wider place based policy development and strategy

Experience of giving evidence at Public Inquiries/Development Plan Examination                       

Significant experience of handling customer complaints and enquiries                             

Qualifications / Registrations / Certifications

Educated to degree level, ideally in planning, geography or a related subject                  

Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or eligible to be a member    

Management qualification ILM 5 or higher                                        

Evidence of continual professional development in accordance with the requirements of the professional institute                              

Skills

Able to advise/guide senior management and elected members on complex/specialist issues related to the planning service areas, spanning local casework, service performance and long-term strategic planning.      

Resilient by nature and have excellent communications skills, due to the significant portions of their time they spend interacting with the public, statutory consultees, stakeholders and elected representatives.  

Ability to provide professional advice and guidance      

Attention to detail in checking decisions                            

Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner organisations                 

Good interpersonal skills and a team player