Development Management Area Team Leader

Civic Recruitment Limited; Whitmore; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Bromley Council is seeking a seasoned Planning Team Leader / Principal Planning Officer on a 6-month contract. The role is based at Bromley, Kent with hybrid working (2 office days) and committee attendance.

Responsibilities include leading a Development Management team, handling complex and major planning applications, and representing the Council at planning committees and inquiries. Ideal candidates will have MRTPI membership, extensive local authority DM experience, and strong leadership and

Qualifications

• Leadership and team management experience in planning
• Strong report writing and communication skills
• Excellent negotiation with developers, members and stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Management team, manage workloads and performance
• Determine planning applications under delegated authority
• Draft and approve reports for complex applications
• Review reports from team members
• Provide technical guidance to planning officers
• Negotiate with applicants and consultees
• Preside over planning screening meetings
• Advise on Section 106 and planning obligations
• Represent the Chief Planner at Planning Committee meetings
• Present recommendations to elected Members
• Act as expert witness at appeals/inquiries
• Apply planning legislation and policy
• Conduct site visits
• Address inquiries from Members and residents
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

MRTPI Membership or eligibility

Job description

Job Description

Planning Team Leader / Principal Planning Officer – 6-Month Contract

Location: Churchill Court, 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1AS

Rate: £55.73 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: 6-Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working – 2 Days Office-Based plus Committee Attendance

Pay: Bi-weekly

Summary

Bromley Council is in search of a seasoned Planning Team Leader / Principal Planning Officer to enhance the management and execution of its dynamic Development Management service. This pivotal position involves a blend of casework, staff oversight, and strategic planning duties. You will lead a Development Management team, ensuring the prompt and effective processing of planning applications while upholding exemplary service standards. The role also entails managing intricate and contentious planning applications, representing the Council at Planning Committees and Public Inquiries, and assisting the Head of Development Management in delivering a high-calibrated planning service.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Development Management team, managing workloads, performance, and service quality.
• Make determinations on planning applications under delegated authority.
• Draft and approve reports for complex and contentious planning applications.
• Review and authorize reports prepared by other team members.
• Offer technical advice and support to planning officers.
• Conduct negotiations with applicants, developers, housing associations, agents, and consultees.
• Organize and preside over planning screening meetings.
• Provide guidance on Section 106 Agreements and planning obligations.
• Represent the Chief Planner at Planning Committee meetings.
• Present planning recommendations and counsel elected Members on planning issues.
• Serve as an expert witness at Planning Appeals, Hearings, Public Inquiries, and court proceedings as needed.
• Apply and interpret planning legislation, national policy, and local planning guidance.
• Conduct site visits related to development proposals.
• Address correspondence and inquiries from Members, residents, stakeholders, and developers.
• Contribute to service enhancement, performance management, and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Requirements:

• MRTPI Membership or eligibility for membership.
• Extensive experience in Development Management within a Local Authority planning setting.
• Proven experience in managing staff within a Planning Service.
• Proficiency in handling complex and major planning applications.
• Experience working in a target-driven environment and adhering to statutory deadlines.
• Competence in preparing committee reports and presenting recommendations.
• Experience in preparing and presenting evidence at planning appeals and public inquiries.
• Comprehensive knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development management procedures.
• Exceptional report writing and communication skills.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team management abilities.
• Effective negotiation skills with developers, consultants, elected members, and stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience at the level of Team Leader, Principal Planning Officer, or Planning Manager.
• Experience in managing Section 106 negotiations.
• Experience representing a local authority at major planning inquiries.
• Previous management experience within a Local Authority.

What's on Offer?

• £55.73 per hour (Umbrella)
• 6-Month Contract
• Location: Bromley, Kent
• Hybrid Working – 2 Office Days Per Week
• Planning Committee Attendance Required
• Bi-weekly Pay
• Opportunity to lead a Development Management team in a bustling London Borough.
• A diverse role that combines leadership, case management, committee work, and strategic planning.
• An excellent opportunity for experienced Planning Managers, Team Leaders, Principal Planning Officers, or Senior Development Management Professionals.

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Planning Team Leader, Principal Planning Officer, Development Management Manager, Senior Planning Officer, Area Planning Manager, Planning Manager, or Development Management Team Manager.

Requirements Essential Requirements MRTPI Membership or Eligibility for Membership. Significant Development Management experience within a Local Authority planning environment. Experience managing staff within a Planning Service. Extensive experience handling complex and major planning applications. Experience working within a target-driven environment and meeting statutory deadlines. Experience preparing committee reports and presenting recommendations. Experience preparing and presenting evidence at planning appeals and public inquiries. In-depth knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development management procedures. Excellent report writing and communication skills. Strong leadership, organisational, and team management skills. Ability to negotiate effectively with developers, consultants, elected members, and stakeholders. Desirable Requirements Experience at Team Leader, Principal Planning Officer, or Planning Manager level. Experience managing Section 106 negotiations. Experience representing a local authority at major planning inquiries. Previous Local Authority management experience. What's on Offer? £55.73 per hour (Umbrella) 6 Month Contract Location: Bromley, Kent Hybrid Working – 2 Office Days Per Week Planning Committee Attendance Required Bi-weekly Pay Opportunity to lead a Development Management team within a busy London Borough. Varied role combining leadership, case management, committee work, and strategic planning. Excellent opportunity for experienced Planning Managers, Team Leaders, Principal Planning Officers, or Senior Development Management Professionals. Suitable for candidates with experience as a Planning Team Leader, Principal Planning Officer, Development Management Manager, Senior Planning Officer, Area Planning Manager, Planning Manager, or Development Management Team Manager.