About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking Area Team Manager to lead a high‑performing team within our Development Management service. This is a senior, influential role where you’ll manage complex planning casework, drive service performance, and help shape the future of development across the district.
You’ll act as a case officer for major, corporately significant projects, provide expert planning advice, and deputise for the Head of Development Management when required.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead, motivate, and develop a team of planning officers, ensuring high performance and effective workload management.
* Ensure all planning decisions and recommendations comply with legislation, policy, and best practice.
* Provide expert technical advice on complex planning, design, viability, environmental and conservation matters.
* Manage major and strategic planning applications from pre‑application stage through to committee reporting.
* Prepare and present reports at Planning Committee; act as main planning advisor when Head of Service is absent.
* Represent the Council as an expert witness at planning appeals, hearings, Public Inquiries and Judicial Reviews.
* Support preparation of the Planning Committee agenda with the Head of Development Management.
* Work closely with Members, partners, developers, and external agencies to facilitate high‑quality development.
* Act as a Safeguarding Ambassador, ensuring safeguarding principles are embedded in service delivery.
What Success Looks Like
* High‑performing team delivering consistently strong planning outputs.
* Decisions that are robust, defensible, and compliant with legislation.
* Effective collaboration with Members, stakeholders, and communities.
* Service performance targets met or exceeded.
Qualifications:
* Degree in Town Planning or related discipline.
* Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
Experience:
* Proven ability to manage complex, multi‑agency planning projects.
Skills & Knowledge:
* Strong understanding of planning legislation, urban design, and detailed design matters.
* Excellent report writing, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
* Ability to lead and motivate a team, manage caseloads, and juggle multiple workstreams.
* Political and media awareness.
* Experience in other areas of planning, e.g., Local Plan development.
* Previous team leadership or management responsibility.
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