Project Manager - Local Plan and Transformation

Opus People Solutions Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in local government is seeking a Project Manager to spearhead the Local Plan and transformation of planning services. This pivotal role involves developing new systems, enhancing service delivery, and providing strategic guidance, requiring strong leadership and excellent communication skills. A self-starter with experience in project management and local government is ideal for this temporary position lasting 3 to 6 months.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project management, ideally in organizational transformation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for policy documentation.
• Knowledge or background in planning policy or development management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the North Northamptonshire Local Plan and oversee its statutory compliance.
• Coordinate planning transformation, including stakeholder engagement and timelines.
• Draft clear and professional planning documents for staff usage.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Job description

Job Title: Project Manager - Local Plan and Planning Transformation

Location: Hybrid working with 1 -2 days in the Kettering office (Can be flexible)

Rate of Pay: Negotiable

Working Hours: Full time hours

Type: Temporary Role - 3 - 6 Months

Opus People Solutions are working with North Northamptonshire Council to recruit for a Project Manager - Local Plan and Planning Transformation.

Job Purpose:

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated Project Manager to lead and coordinate the delivery of our Local Plan and support the ongoing transformation of the Planning service. This includes the development of new systems, a staff restructure, and drafting key planning guidance documentation. This is a pivotal role at the heart of modernising planning across the authority, requiring strong project leadership, a high degree of autonomy, and excellent communication and documentation skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Manage and coordinate the development and delivery of the North Northamptonshire Local Plan in line with statutory requirements and strategic objectives.
• Manage the planning transformation project, including timelines, stakeholder engagement, and change management processes.
• Oversee and support the development and implementation of new systems and processes to enhance planning service delivery.
• Draft professional, clear, and accessible planning guidance documents for use by planning staff.
• Collaborate with senior managers to support and coordinate the planning service restructure.
• Prepare job descriptions, person specifications, and role profiles for new posts within the planning team.
• Monitor and report on project progress, risks, and resource needs to senior stakeholders and elected members.
• Work independently, using initiative to identify issues, propose solutions, and drive delivery.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in project management, ideally in organisational transformation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for policy and guidance documents.
• Knowledge or background in planning policy or development management.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and use initiative to solve problems and deliver outcomes.
• Experience in supporting or managing organisational transformation or service redesign.
• Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and managing competing priorities.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in local government or public sector
• Understanding of local government structures and planning reform in England.

Key Attributes:

• Self-starter with the ability to work autonomously.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with a positive approach to change.
• Detail-oriented but capable of strategic thinking.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and political awareness.

For more information or to process your application for this role, please apply online now.