Assistant Director Planning And Implementation

Carrington West; Braintree; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector recruitment agency is assisting in the search for an Interim Assistant Director of Planning and Implementation in Braintree. The ideal candidate has extensive local authority experience, holds a relevant post-graduate qualification, and will manage the local planning authority. This strategic role offers £800 per day on an initial 3-month contract with potential for extension and requires weekly office presence.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

High pay rate

Qualifications

• Extensive local authority experience required.
• Eligibility for membership of RTPI is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage local planning authority and building control bodies.
• Lead a team for the development of council strategy and policy.
• Engage with Members to strengthen relationships.
• Oversee compliance and transparency in council operations.
• Handle complex and contentious applications and inspections.

Skills

Public sector experience

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Engagement with Members

Education

Post-graduate degree in planning or related discipline

Job description

Overview

Carrington West are assisting their local authority client based in East Anglia in the search for an Interim Assistant Director of Planning and Implementation to join their Strategic Leadership team on an initial 3-month contract, then rolling.

We are looking to appoint an individual with a breadth of public sector experience that enables them to take responsibility for managing the local planning authority and building control body. This strategic leadership role is an integral part of the senior leadership team, has Chief Planning Officer responsibility and constitutional delegated authority for all the following functions delivered by two operational Heads of Service: Development Management, Enforcement, Building Control, Planning Policy, and other specialist planning areas; Land Charges, CIL, S106 and Technical Support.

The role also has corporate responsibilities for budget management, risk management, Member liaison, service planning, performance management and reporting.

About this role

• To provide strategic leadership and managing a team of multi-skilled staff who are responsible for the development of council strategy and policy delivery, including Planning Policy, Enforcement, Conservation and Heritage, Building Control, Development Management and Technical Support
• To own, develop and oversee the council's policies in key areas, solve problems and delivers an efficient customer-focused service with high standards of professionalism
• To be a trusted point of contact for engagement with Members to ensure sound relationships and prompt responses to issues and queries raised
• To ensure effective cross Council working to enable strategic achievement and enabling collaboration, innovation and engagement and delivery of Council priorities
• Be a role model for the service, demonstrating authenticity, integrity, resilience and compassion and focussing on communication, personal development and wellbeing

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for the Local Planning Authority, Building Control Body and Land Charges functions to meet the council's needs ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, legislation, professional codes of practice and adherence to Council policy
• Prepare and present reports to council committee meetings or other internal or external meetings ensuring compliance, transparency, and scrutiny
• Ensuring management of complex and contentious cases by staff with relevant expertise
• Be the most senior point of contact for the resolution of complex or contentious applications, appeals, complaints and inspections
• Responsible for the management and implementation of projects, interventions and initiatives and delivery of corporate objectives and business plans
• Responsible for the review and implementation of business process changes that drive further efficiencies and cost savings
• Delivering customer focussed, high profile and responsive operations and services, ensuring that enquiries, complaints and cases are managed and completed at the appropriate level

To apply for these roles, it is essential that you have recent relevant experience at the same level. Candidate must have extensive local authority experience and hold a professional qualification such as a post-graduate degree in planning, regeneration or a related discipline, and have the eligibility for membership of RTPI.

The council are looking for candidates who will be able to hit the ground running and are offering flexible working arrangements, although weekly office presence is a must.

Carrington West Pay Rate - £800per/day

Job Ref - 61318

Please call Cameron de Wit on (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion on this role, or email myself or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:
(url removed)
(url removed)

Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you