Business Support Supervisor

Hart District Council; United States; Remote; USD 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Hart District Council is seeking a capable Business Support Supervisor to lead the Planning Administration Team within Development Management. You will supervise four Business Support Officers, coordinate workloads and provide day-to-day leadership to ensure accurate processes and a high standard of service for residents and partners.

While planning experience is advantageous, the role focuses on people management, process oversight, and robust administrative support.

Qualifications

• Experience in an admin role.
• Leadership experience with people management.
• Experience in public sector and local government administration (Desirable).
• Interest in planning and the environment.
• Knowledge of the planning system and environmental issues.
• Experience with Idox/Uniform.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight of the administrative functions for the Development Management service.
• Manage and allocate work across the Business Support team.
• Line-manage four Business Support Officers.
• Hold regular one-to-one meetings and half-yearly appraisals.
• Provide administrative support to case officers and Team Leaders.
• Produce financial and performance information and reports.
• Support the publication of documents on the Council's website.
• Develop and implement effective manual and IT systems and procedures.
• Deliver high-quality customer service to residents, colleagues and external partners.
• Present the service in a proactive, customer-focused way.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Microsoft Office

IT systems

Customer service

Process improvement

Time management

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

GCSEs – maths and English

Management qualification

Tools

Idox/Uniform

Job description

Hart District Council is looking for a capable and people-focused Business Support Supervisor to lead the specialist administrative support provided to its Development Management service. Reporting directly to the Development Manager, you will supervise and manage the Planning Administration Team, bringing four Business Support Officers together under one clear and cohesive leadership structure. This is a varied position combining people management, workload coordination, specialist administration and customer service. You will help ensure the Development Management service runs smoothly, with accurate processes, responsive support and a consistently high standard of service for residents, colleagues and external partners. While previous experience within planning or Development Management would be highly advantageous, we are not looking for a planner. Hart is particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate leadership experience, the ability to manage people and workloads, and the confidence to understand and oversee detailed administrative processes.

As Business Support Supervisor, you will provide oversight of the administrative functions supporting Development Management. You will allocate work across the team, provide day-to-day leadership and act as a key source of support for the Development Manager, case officers and Team Leaders. You will line-manage four Business Support Officers, conducting regular one-to-one meetings and half-yearly appraisals. You will also help the team establish a consistent and joined-up approach, ensuring responsibilities are clearly understood and work is effectively prioritised. The role will require you to develop a strong understanding of the processes that sit behind Development Management, including:

• Receiving and registering planning applications submitted through the Planning Portal and by post
• Uploading information to the Council's document management system
• Understanding planning application validation processes and requirements
• Logging and recording consultee and third‑party responses
• Supporting public speaking arrangements for Development Management Committee
• Logging enforcement cases
• Coordinating documentation and arrangements relating to appeals
• Registering, processing and determining tree‑related applications
• Supporting the preparation and service of Tree Preservation Orders
• Supporting the determination of planning applications under delegated powers and by Committee

Key responsibilities In this role, you will:

• Provide oversight of the administrative functions required for the smooth running of the Development Management service
• Manage and allocate work across the Business Support team
• Act as personal and administrative support to the Development Manager
• Line-manage four Business Support Officers
• Hold regular one-to-one meetings and half-yearly appraisals
• Ensure appropriate administrative support is provided to case officers and Team Leaders
• Act as the first point of contact for complaints relating to the service provided by the Planning Administration Team
• Produce financial and performance information and reports as required
• Support the publication of documents and information on the Council's website
• Help identify, develop and implement effective manual and information technology systems and procedures
• Provide a high-quality service to residents, colleagues, managers and external partners
• Present the service in a proactive, positive and customer-focused way

The HART values Hart District Council wants every customer to feel warm, welcome, wanted and cared for when interacting with the Council. All employees are expected to promote the HART values by:

• Being Helpful
• Being Approachable
• Being Responsive
• Taking ownership of challenges and problems to ensure they are dealt with appropriately

Essential

• GCSEs - maths and English

Desirable

• Management qualification

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• Experience of working in an admin role
• Experience of leadership in some capacity along with managing people and workloads

Desirable

• Experience of working in the public sector and an understanding of Local Government
• In particular, experience of the administration of development management in Local Government
• An interest in planning and the environment
• Knowledge of the planning system and related environmental issues.
• Experience of the Idox/Uniform

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Evidence of leadership skills
• Enthusiasm and desire to do a good job
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office software
• Able to use complex computer systems with appropriate training
• Committed to providing high-quality customer service
• Ability to understand, and adapt existing administrative procedures or to introduce new procedures
• Ability to take ownership of tasks, challenges, and problems to achieve an appropriate outcome

Desirable

• Ability to pick up procedures quickly and understand/question how they fit into the processes
• Ability to see the bigger picture and how individual processes affect the outcome, Ability to work as part of a team and/or alone and use own initiative
• Commitment to personal development
• Ability to manage own time
• Commitment to delivering the best possible services for residents, and internal and external customers
• Ability to act on own initiative without close supervision.
• Flexibility - to be able to see what needs to be done and get it done, being prepared to step in if necessary
• An interest in planning and environmental issues.

Other working requirements

Essential

• Willingness to work in the office on at least two days per week and have a suitable working environment at home if home working is intended.

Desirable

• Access to and ability to drive a motor vehicle.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in accordance with Hart District Council's policies, procedures, HART values and relevant legislation. This includes requirements relating to equal opportunities, conduct, data protection, safeguarding, health and safety and civil emergency responsibilities.

The responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and may develop in response to service needs. Any changes will be discussed with the post-holder and will not significantly affect the nature, responsibility level or grade of the role.