Head of Planning Casework

Department For Transport; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated professional to join their Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit. This role involves providing critical advice on Development Consent Orders for significant infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with planning and environmental legislation. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with a team, delivering high-quality service while managing complex information. This position offers a flexible working environment and generous benefits, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the transport sector.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Attractive pension options

Flexible working

Inclusive working environments

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Experience in planning and environmental legislation is required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely processing of Development Consent Orders.
• Provide evidence-based direction on planning applications.
• Engage with stakeholders to develop solutions to challenges.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Planning Legislation Knowledge

Environmental Legislation Knowledge

Job description

??Location: Birmingham, Leeds, London (Hybrid)

??Salary: £54,857- ACivil Service Pensionwith an employer contribution of 28.97%

??Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

The Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit provides advice to Ministers on applications for Development Consent Orders (DCO) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIPs) submitted under the Planning Act 2008. These Applications grant powers critical to the delivery of airport, railway, strategic road and major harbour projects that are central to the Government's policies for economic growth.

The post holder will work collaboratively alongside three other Grade 7s and jointly be responsible for ensuring that the team provides robust and timely advice to Ministers on such applications. This involves assessing the merits of projects against planning, transport and environmental policies and legislation, preparing formal, legally robust decision letters and making recommendations to Ministers and maintaining the propriety of the decision-making process.

Top Responsibilities

• Ensuring all applications for Development Consent Orders are taken forward promptly, impartially and in line with relevant legislation and guidance, so as to deliver a high-quality service.
• Provide direction on each case to ensure decisions are robust, evidence based and comply with the relevant legislation. This includes responsibility for the coaching and development of specialist skills and knowledge in the team, working closely and accurately with detailed legislation, planning policy statements and large volumes of factual case papers.
• Ensuring a coherent approach in tackling common issues and in developing solutions to challenges by engaging with lawyers, policy teams across DfT and other Departments.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

About you

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have excellent written, communication and analytical skills, and be able to work in an environment where information is sometimes unclear and complex.
• Experience of planning, transport and environmental legislation and policy.
• Have an understanding of planning and environmental mattersProactively seek to keep your knowledge and skills up to dateand be comfortable working closely with lawyers.
• Be able to present persuasively both in writing and verbally and be comfortable working to tight statutory deadlines.
• Strong leadership and management skills and responsibilities, with the ability to support a geographically dispersed team, to develop and thrive in their roles.
• Be confident and professional when dealing with senior stakeholders.