About the role
Our Development Management & Enforcement service is part of the Growth and Regeneration service group within the Place and Economy directorate. This new role is responsible for providing the strategic direction and management of the service, reporting directly to the Assistant Director. North Northamptonshire's Development Management & Enforcement service is a product of local government reorganisation which took place across Northamptonshire in 2021. We have brought together the four former district and borough Local Planning Authority functions and we are busy working our way through a transformation programme to create a single high‑performing planning service for North Northamptonshire. You will have a key role working with the Assistant Director to shape the future direction of the service, including the development of strategies that will deliver the transformation of the service, including its digitalisation, harmonisation of business processes and delivering continuous improvement. North Northamptonshire is a high‑growth area offering an exciting opportunity for professional development. With six sustainable urban extensions in differing phases of delivery, a wealth of large commercial and industrial development proposals and everything in between, you will find this job both challenging and rewarding. That is why you will need to bring a strong background in planning management, extensive experience in dealing with complex and contentious planning matters and fresh thinking about how a high‑quality service can be delivered in the most efficient and cost‑effective way to make the most of this great opportunity to shape the new single service.
Responsibilities
* Provide professional and technical guidance and advice to the Assistant Director, corporate leadership team, elected members and members of the public.
* Develop and implement plans and strategies to transform the council's services, building partnerships across the council and with external stakeholders.
* Lead the team to deliver consistently high performing, cost effective and robust services and provide high quality places across North Northamptonshire.
* Manage change within the service and build and maintain an enthusiastic and committed workforce with a "one team" approach.
* Recognise and react to changes in legislation, guidance and best practice to ensure the effective implementation of any necessary changes.
* Represent the council on development management and enforcement issues in countywide, regional and national forums.
Qualifications
You will be experienced at a senior level, such as a Service Manager, for an English Local Planning Authority with knowledge and understanding of the dynamics and complexities of public sector and local government. You will have practical knowledge and understanding of planning, with a focus on Development Management & Planning Enforcement. You will have extensive experience dealing with complex and/or contentious planning matters and politically sensitive issues. You will have significant experience negotiating with developers to agree developer contributions, Planning Performance Agreements etc. You will have knowledge and experience of how to effect cultural and behavioural change, developing high performing teams. You will have the ability and experience to budget manage, recruit and manage formal discipline matters and grievances.
Values and Commitment
Our values define who we are and how we operate. They are Customer‑focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
We are a recognised Disability Confident Employer, are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. North Northamptonshire Council re‑signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2024 and holds a silver status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), working towards Gold status.
Benefits
Our benefits include a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates and support for a range of active Employee Network Groups. We offer a competitive salary, a pension scheme with significant council contribution, life cover and ill‑health protection, generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, optional buy‑up of up to 10 days, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
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