Length of employment: Job Summary: Do you want to work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and play a key role in keeping our country safe through caring for the Defence estate and those that depend on it? DIO manages the Defence estate, one of the UK's largest and most diverse property portfolios, enabling the armed forces and Defence civilians to live, work, train and deploy. From net carbon-zero accommodation to runways for the F35 fighter jets, our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe! If you are a suitably qualified property professional who would be interested in working client-side with Military colleagues on one of the largest estates inthe country and/or across an extensive overseas portfolio, and you are motivated by the prospect of working on a diverse range of exciting, interestingand often-challenging projects of National interest in support of the UK Defence Mission, then the DIO Estates Team is for you! The Role DIO Estates currently have a vacancy for a Deputy Head of Estates to lead the Estates Town Planning Team. The Deputy Head of Estates - Town Planning Team leads and manages the Town Planning Team and ensures the delivery of the Planning programme within the Estates Division for the DIO/MOD. The role leads a team of Defence Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the full range of MOD Town Planning matters, leading on MOD's technical engagement with MHCLG on the Government's Town Planning Reform agenda, providing robust written and verbal town planning advice, guidance and technical inputs to Acquisitions and Disposals, DIO Service Delivery, Projects, Land Management Services (LMS) staff and to military customers. The role is responsible for the management and application of best practice, knowledge and understanding of planning legislation both within the UK and overseas. This is an exciting opportunity to join and lead our nationwide network of highly skilled Town and Country Planners, and we are looking for motivated suitability qualified property professional to join an established team, working closely with military and civilian colleges delivering exciting, varied estate activities, programmes, and subject matter professional advice. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description: Main Responsibilities Leadership and Management of the Town Planning Team Leading on MOD's technical engagement with MHCLG on the Government's Town Planning Reform agenda Working closely with DIO and A&D teams to lead the provision of strategic advice and technical inputs to major projects and programmes, including site disposals, operational development and land use planning strategies Advising MOD on the potential planning impacts of external third-party proposals on the Defence estate Leading and managing the representation of MOD interests in external town planning processes including Local Plans and appeals, assurance and negotiations in relation to developer contributions and legal agreements Leading and advising on the management, development, and submission of planning applications and other town planning consenting routes on behalf of MOD Leading the representation of MOD interests in external town planning processes including Local Plans and appeals, assurance and negotiations in relation to developer contributions and legal agreements Commissioning, managing, and assessing the quality of Planning and development related technical proposals and outputs from external consultants Influencing and developing town planning policy for the Defence Estate Leading SME support and input to elements of: Freedom of Information Requests, Environmental Information Requests, Media and Comms briefs, Lines to Take, Ministerial Briefs concerning Town Planning and related matters and working with MOD's Legal Services Team to advise on town planning legal matters including input to Counsel instructions Leading and managing liaison with MOD client organisations and the management of external stakeholder relations including regulatory authorities and Other Government Departments (OGDs) concerning Town Planning and related matters. The MOD Estate is wide and varied, on this unique Estate variety is certain and no 2 days will be the same! The breadth of work on offer is exceptional with opportunities to get involved in a wide range of projects across the UK to enable Defence capability. Location The role can be based at any of the stated locations. The successful candidate will be expected to regularly attend their chosen office for face-to-face meetings and collaboration. Work location will be agreed once the successful candidate has been selected. Please confirm your location on your application form. Alongside the advertised locations, other DIO locations may be c onsidered and offered. All sites will be considered whilst ensuring the location of the successful candidate can still meet the business and travel requirements of the role. If travelling outside your base location for duty reasons, you will have access to flights, hire cars, rail tickets and overnight accommodation. You can also claim 45 pence per mile should you choose to use your own vehicle for business travel. Travel may be required to carry out site visits where you may go on MOD Establishments, residential estates, building sites, agricultural land, training areas and firing ranges etc. DIO Business Area - Estates The Defence estate is one of the largest landholdings in the UK and covers an estimated 1.8% of the UK land mass (200,000 ha). This is complemented bya significant UK Defence presence overseas. Estates are the in-house real estate team within the DIO (part of the UK Ministry of Defence) supporting infrastructure needs across a high-profile Public Estate. We acquire, manage, safeguard, and dispose of Defence real estate. Our unique customer knowledge and insight of the Defence Estate enables our in-house team of property professionals to provide in-depth advice to our Military customers. The Town Planning team The Town Planning team deliver the Planning programme within the Estates Division for the DIO/MOD. The team is formed of Defence SubjectMatter Experts (SMEs) for the full range of MOD Town Planning matters and the management and application of best practice, knowledge andunderstanding of planning legislation both within the UK and overseas. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service. Successful candidates will become members of the Government Property Profession, with benefits including opportunities for Government and industry led CPD events; access to a diverse community of property professionals across government for sharing knowledge and ideas; and a comprehensive career framework and learning and development curriculum to support your career journey To learn more about our full range of benefits, view our Candidate Information Guide attached Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Essential Experience: Relevant, suitable experience and knowledge at an appropriate level in the provision of strategic town planning advice, technical inputs to town planning reform, major projects and programmes and leadership of teams, including: Proactive cross-Government working to ensure MOD interests are appropriately represented within the Town Planning Reform agenda Site disposals, operational development, and land use planning strategies. Commissioning, managing, and assessing the quality of technical proposals and outputs from external consultants. The management, development, and submission of planning applications Representation of client interests in external town planning processes including Local Plans and appeals, assurance and negotiations in relation to developer contributions and legal agreements Management of multi-disciplinary teams in geographically dispersed locations Desirable Experience Working in a Defence environment Working knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience. Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit. At application you will be assessed against the following: Experience: CV including Job History, Full Qualification Details and Previous Skills & Experience: Please ensure that you explain all skills and experience that are relevant to the advertised role as detailed within the Essential experience within the personal specification section of the advert. At interview you will be assessed against the above and the following: B ehaviours: Leadership Technical Skills: Government Property Profession Career Framework: Property Professional Expertise- Expert Level Customer and Client Service - Practitioner Level Strategy and Business Planning- Practitioner Level Presentation: Candidates who are successful at application sift will be expected to deliver a presentation on the day of the interview. The subject matter will be disclosed upon invite to interview We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn't always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months. It is also possible that we may offer similar lower graded role/s to reserve candidates or, if no reserves are appointed, candidates that meet the lower grade criteria in merit order. Application sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing 14 th July 25. Interviews are currently taking place via Face to Face or remotely through a digital platform, this will be confirmed with the successful candidates who are invited to an interview and will be conducted week commencing 21 st July 25. A minimum of 2 full working days' notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs. To assist with your application please find attached below: DIO Candidate Information Guide GPP Career Framework (Link details to insert: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62ab0341e90e070391963cc3/GPP_Career_Framework.pdf as can't attach a copy due to file size) For help and support with your application check out our Civil Service Careers Homepage (Link details to insert: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk ) and the How to apply section (Link details to insert: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/ The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact:. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.