Team: Planning Policy, Strategic Growth
Salary: £47,822 to £51,022 per annum (plus MRS of £5000 per annum - to be reviewed October 2021) 
Job Family:  Enabling 14
Hours:  37 hours per week
Current Base Location: Shefford, Bedfordshire & Home Working
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 25th July 2021 
Interview Date:  Successful candidates will be contacted upon application to arrange an interview date 

This is a really exciting time for you to join Central Bedfordshire Council.  As one of the largest Unitary Authorities in the country, our unique geographical location means we are at the forefront  of national conversations around growth. The Government has identified the Oxford to Cambridge Arc as a priority area for development and economic investment and Central Bedfordshire Council will be inputting into the forthcoming Spaital Framework Vision.  Significant investment in infrastructure, with schemes such as East-West Rail, has the potential to act as a catalyst for future growth in Central Bedfordshire.  It really is a great place to live and work.  We have attractive market towns and villages surrounded by countryside.  A prime location, great transport links and a high performing economy.  This provides an excellent basis for delivering new homes and jobs, whilst also ensuring communities are created and environmental assets are protected.

Are you an experienced, dynamic and innovative individual who would you like to make your mark in the delivery of sustainable growth for our region? 

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Planning Policy Manager to take the lead in delivering local planning policy documents which includes a new Local Plan.   Working within the Strategic Growth team, and managing a team ranging from Planning Officer to Principal level, you will be responsible for helping to deliver the Council's statutory and non-statutory functions including the creation of evidence-based policies and guidance. You will play a big part in helping to achieve the Council’s planning policy priorities and objectives.

The emerging Local Plan provides a strong basis for delivering much needed homes and jobs, as well as protecting our green and historic assets. However, our commitment to an early review of this plan will provide us with the ideal opportunity to consider and embed the impacts of the Ox-Cam Arc more broadly and to ensure Central Bedfordshire takes full advantage of this opportunity to benefit from this ambition, working in partnership with the Government to bring forward higher levels of growth and enhancing our economy.

Working across a full range of Planning disciplines and with everyone from Councillors to developers looking to you for specialist support and guidance, you will have good political and commercial awareness, and strong communication skills.  Your experience will be essential to help to shape and influence while working in partnership and you will of course be committed to evidence-based decision making.

It is important that you have a degree or equivalent recognised qualification in Planning and be an experienced planning professional within a forward planning environment. A proven track record of policy development and analysis and of managing a programme of community engagement to inform policy creation and decision making, as well as line management experience. 

With businesses and communities depending on your skills, you will find your greatness using your knowledge and professional expertise in a strategic as well as local environment.

What we can offer you

By joining the Central Bedfordshire Council family, you will have access to numerous benefits, including membership of the competitive Local Government Pension Scheme from day one, full IT equipment to enable agile working including a laptop, smartphone and additional screens if required, access to our Employee Assistance Programme and a relocation package (subject to eligibility), and many other staff discounts.

As a recognised RTPI Learning Partner, which demonstrates our commitment to the training and development of our staff; and a Finalist in the RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence 2020, you will have access to learning and continuous professional development opportunities through regular attendance at relevant and up to date internal and external courses and workshops.

A full overview of benefits on offer is included in the Recruitment Pack.
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Would you like to chat about the role? Contact Caroline Danby, Head of Strategic Growth, on 0300 300 6771 or email caroline.danby@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Due to the expected number of applications this advert may close before the date shown.

Central Bedfordshire Council has its own vision and values that are integral to everything we do. Our area vision is to make Central Bedfordshire 'A great place to live and work’.

Central Bedfordshire Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in the workplace. We are a Disability Confident employer, we are working to become a Disability Confident leader in our community.

LINK

https://career2.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=10076&company=centralbed