Planning Policy Team Leader

The Methodist Church in Britain; Thulston; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benenden Healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Discount scheme

On-site parking

Cycle2Work

Salary sacrifice car scheme

RTPI membership fees

Job summary

Dover District Council is seeking a Team Leader to guide the planning policy and projects team in delivering, reviewing and implementing policy documents in line with the 2024 Local Plan.

You will provide expert planning policy advice, lead responses to planning applications, and act as an expert witness at examinations and inquiries, while managing staff and coordinating with internal and external partners.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of preparing planning policy documents from scoping to adoption.
• Experience in plan-making, monitoring and reporting (land supply reports, AMRs).
• Experience managing external consultants and delivering projects to completion.
• Experience at examination or appeal hearings and inquiries.
• Experience advising on planning policy through the planning application process.
• Experience managing your own workload and that of a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team in delivering, implementing and reviewing planning policy documents following the 2024 Local Plan adoption.
• Provide professional planning policy advice, including leading the team's response to planning applications.
• Act as expert witness for the Council at examinations in public, appeals, public inquiries and court hearings.
• Manage the S106 Monitoring Officer's work on securing and spending developer obligations.
• Lead production of the Infrastructure Funding Statement and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan with internal and external partners.
• Directly manage staff and assign team resources.
• Ensure implementation of the Corporate Plan and relevant Council policies.
• Advise elected members and the management team, including at Council and public meetings.
• Support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager in the wider management of the service.

Skills

Planning policy knowledge

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Analytical ability

Job description

Team Leader post in the planning policy and projects team at Dover District Council, managing professional officers and technical staff on the district's planning policy documents. Core work covers planning advice on applications, developer contributions and the Infrastructure Funding Statement, plus appearances as expert witness at examinations and appeals. Line management sits alongside a hybrid pattern with at least two days a week in the office, and a full UK driving licence is needed.

What the job involves

• Lead the team in delivering, implementing and reviewing planning policy documents following the 2024 Local Plan adoption
• Provide professional planning policy advice, including leading the team's response to planning applications
• Act as expert witness for the Council at examinations in public, appeals, public inquiries and court hearings
• Manage the S106 Monitoring Officer's work on securing and spending developer obligations
• Lead production of the Infrastructure Funding Statement and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan with internal and external partners
• Directly manage staff and assign team resources
• Ensure implementation of the Corporate Plan and relevant Council policies
• Advise elected members and the management team, including at Council and public meetings
• Support the Planning Policy and Projects Manager in the wider management of the service

What’s required

Experience

• Substantial experience of preparing planning policy documents from scoping to adoption
• Experience in plan-making practice and monitoring and reporting, such as land supply reports and AMRs
• Experience managing external consultants and delivering projects to completion
• Experience at examination or appeal hearings and inquiries
• Experience advising on planning policy through the planning application process
• Experience managing your own workload and that of a team

Skills & knowledge

• Working knowledge of planning legislation
• Understanding of local government structures and procedures
• Good grasp of developer contributions in delivering strategic infrastructure
• Excellent report writing, research and analysis skills
• Excellent communication and ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders and councillors
• Ability to support and guide junior team members

Checks & eligibility

• Full valid UK driving licence and use of a motor vehicle for business use

What’s offered

• Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Programme
• Opt-in Local Government Pension Scheme with voluntary contributions (AVCs)
• Generous annual leave
• Discount scheme including reduced leisure centre membership
• On-site parking
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Payment of RTPI membership fees