Head of Development Management

Baltimore Consulting; England; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council is seeking a Head of Development Management to provide strategic leadership and ensure effective planning application management. The role requires relevant qualifications and significant experience in local government, focusing on regeneration and compliance with local policies. Success in this position will significantly contribute to the council's goals for growth and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in assessing and advising on planning applications.
• Significant management experience in local government.
• High level of political awareness and knowledge of local government operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in Development Management and Enforcement functions.
• Ensure compliance with the Council's Local Plan.
• Oversee the work and performance of Lead Officers.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Management

Communication

Education

Relevant degree in Town Planning or related discipline

Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Job description

Job Description

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES - ROLE PROFILE

Head of Development Management Permanent role based in Kingston Grade M

Role purpose: Provide leadership to the Development Management and Enforcement functions of the Council to make a significant contribution to the positive growth and regeneration of the Borough through the innovative and practical application of development management skills. To ensure that growth and regeneration in the Borough is delivered in line with the Councils Local Plan and associated documents.

The role reports directly to the Assistant Director Strategic Planning and Infrastructure and is responsible for the Lead Officer Development Management, Lead Officer Planning Delivery and Lead Officer Planning Enforcement.

Key activities Corporate Leadership

• Responsible for setting the strategic direction and tactical operation for your service.
• Responsible for producing and delivering the service plan for your service and monitoring its delivery to align with both corporate and directorate aims and priorities.
• Responsible for establishing, developing and keeping under review the structures, procedures and working methods for your service to ensure an integrated, effective and efficient approach to the delivery of services and to maximise the use of new technology to both improve services and generate efficiency savings.
• Exercise delegated authority for decision making where required and within the scope of the Councils Scheme of Delegation.

Planning

• Keep abreast of legislation, case law, current national and local policies and guidance to offer sound professional and technical advice and guidance to all parties including the applicants and landowners.
• Lead on and provide professional and technical expertise on the determination of planning and related applications.
• Work in a positive and proactive manner that supports and facilitates the delivery of positive outcomes on planning applications whilst also ensuring consistency with the wider corporate aspirations of the Council and demonstrating a respect for the views of the local community.
• Oversee negotiations to secure council objectives on infrastructure arrangements and delivery through the appropriate use of Section 106 contributions and controls alongside the Community Infrastructure Levy.
• Coordinate and oversee activities related to the Planning Committee, ensuring appropriate support is in place for Neighbourhood Committees and attending other Council committees, panels and meetings as required.
• Promote the Development Management Service and contribute and assist in achieving income targets in relation to the Council’s Pre-Application Service expedited services and the delivery of schemes through Planning Performance Agreements.
• Responsible for the efficient processing of appeals to the Planning Inspectorate within the Development Management and Planning Enforcement functions and defend the Council’s decisions.

Service Leadership

• Oversee the work and performance of the Lead Officers, ensuring appropriate steps are taken to prioritise and allocate workload amongst teams and team members.
• Conduct appraisals and one-to-ones of the Lead Officers and support them in undertaking appraisals for their own staff.
• Identify development needs and provide coaching and mentoring to develop the skills and knowledge across your service.
• Embed the Core competency frameworks, providing inspirational and constructive leadership to the DM team to ensure high performance within a networked operating model.
• Facilitate change and innovation, building a team culture that encourages innovative, smart and collaborative working.
• Listen to and work with colleagues to develop team goals in line with corporate strategy and influence and motivate others to achieve this.
• Assess risk and use data to inform choices relating to resources and financial planning.
• Manage budgets and effectively monitor income.
• Monitor and manage performance of the Development Management and Planning Enforcement teams to ensure work meets defined outcomes and any relevant targets or deadlines that have been agreed.
• Provide regular reporting of performance to Councillors, Customers and Partners.
• Present timely and relevant advice and information to Councillors generally and support effective working relationships with the Leader, Deputy Leader, relevant Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs.
• Lead in the creation of a customer focused culture and maintain and improve the promotion of customer satisfaction across your service.
• Build strong working partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors to support better engagement in the planning process.
• Deliver excellent levels of customer service in collaboration with the Contact Centre and other services for the benefit of local communities and the Council’s reputation.
• Respond to complaints from members of the public, resident groups, the Local Government Ombudsman and Members arising from the Development Management function or projects for which they are responsible.

Core Competencies

Self‑management and employing self‑awareness, self‑confidence, self‑control, self‑knowledge, personal reflection, resilience and determination to work positively with customers, stakeholders, Councillors and colleagues. Demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Core Competency Framework.

As a manager within the service the postholder will also have to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Management Competency Framework.

Digital / New Ways of Working

Supports the use of new technologies particularly Google to enable modern working practices to thrive.

Equality and Diversity

Embeds equity, equality, fairness and diversity into all aspects of their work.

General

The requirements of this post could include attending meetings and other events outside normal hours as expected with a post of this nature and the postholder will need to manage their work‑life balance flexibly to meet the needs of the role.

To develop, update and act on own personal development plan and be ready to share learning with others.

To work in accordance with RBKs Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety relevant policies and legislation.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be required from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant degree level qualifications in Town Planning (or related built environment discipline) and hold chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be able to demonstrate suitable post‑qualification experience to meet the eligibility requirements for chartered membership.
• Significant experience in successfully assessing and advising on planning applications.
• Evidence of management training or a management qualification (e.g., Certificate, Diploma or MBA) would be considered desirable.
• Comprehensive understanding of planning legislation & good understanding of related legislation including local government legislation.
• High level of political awareness & comprehensive knowledge of the operation of local government.
• Extensive experience of public meetings, member‑level meetings or committees plus working to complex constitutional procedures including public hearings and legal challenges.

Values and Behaviours

Supportive of trying new ideas with the courage to change direction. Transparent and connected in all that we think, say and do. Appreciative of each other recognising and celebrating success. Respectful of difference and valuing diversity.

Employment Details

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1