Planning Team Manager

Your new company

Hays are currently working with a progressive local authority seeking an experienced Development Management Team Manager to join their Planning Service on an interim basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished planning manager to lead a busy Development Management function, driving performance, overseeing service delivery and supporting the professional development of a team of planning officers within a dynamic local authority environment.

Your new role

As Development Management Team Manager, you will provide operational leadership across the Development Management service, ensuring the effective management of staff, resources and workloads while delivering a high-quality and customer-focused planning service.

You will be a key member of the management team, responsible for improving performance, supporting strategic objectives and ensuring the service continues to meet statutory requirements and corporate priorities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing, motivating and developing a team of planning professionals.
• Providing day-to-day operational leadership across the Development Management function.
• Monitoring team performance, workloads and service delivery against key performance indicators.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives and embedding best practice across the service.
• Managing staffing resources, recruitment, training and professional development activities.
• Providing expert advice and guidance on complex planning and development management matters.
• Supporting senior leadership with service planning, operational management and policy implementation.
• Building strong working relationships with elected members, senior officers and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring the service meets statutory obligations, performance targets and corporate objectives.
• Leading on complaint resolution, customer engagement and service improvement activities.
• Representing the service at management meetings, member briefings and Planning Committee where required.

What you'll need to succeed

• Degree qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• MRTPI membership or equivalent professional qualification is desirable.
• Significant Development Management experience within a local authority setting.
• Proven experience leading and managing planning teams.
• Strong understanding of performance management, service delivery and operational planning.
• Experience managing workloads, staff performance and service improvement programmes.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior management, elected members and external partners.
• Sound knowledge of planning legislation and development management processes.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive rate of £500 per day.
• Initial 6-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunity to lead an established planning team and shape service delivery.
• Collaborative working environment with senior-level exposure and influence.
• The chance to make a tangible impact on the performance and effectiveness of a key local authority service.

What you need to do now

Please send an up-to-date CV to Ben Styles in our Specialist Town Planning team.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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