Are you motivated to work for an ambitious Organisation, here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive?

Here’s some information about us

We are here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive.  Every staff member plays a part in our success and achievement through challenging what we do, how we do it and how we can do it better. Ideas are continuously encouraged, new ways of working are trialled and we apply learning through experience. Through our ‘one team’ approach, we work in an agile way to empower our staff to be able to make decisions that place our customers at the heart of what we do.

We are delivering our innovative and forward thinking Customer Connect Programme which is transforming the way we deliver services by maximising digital technology and putting customers at the heart of everything we do. The programme is improving services, enabling valued customers to do business with us in a simpler way. Our new operating model will see traditional roles working very differently. Continued development of our people is central to our success.

We are proud of South Lakeland District and we serve communities across a rural area that includes two national parks, with the majority of the stunning Lake District National Park in our district, as well as western parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With friendly communities, low crime rate, cultural attractions and excellent motorway and West Coast Mainline links to the North West, South Lakeland rightly promotes itself as the ‘best place to live, work and explore.’

We Are South Lakeland.

Some details about the role

As a Senior Specialist Level 3, you will be responsible for managing a team of approximately five Specialists in the Development Management area. You will be responsible for signing off delegated reports, attending and supporting planning committees as well as managing a modest case load of more complex planning applications. You will need to have strong experience in successfully leading and motivating teams of planning professionals and will need to be a qualified planner and chartered member of the RTPI. 

Furthermore, you will be responsible for advising on the more complex planning cases and working with the Principal Specialist (Built Environment) to ensure the efficient and effective management of the planning process including oversight of the planning enforcement function. 

What we are looking for in you

• Strong experience in successfully leading and motivating teams of planning professionals.
• Possess a relevant degree or qualification and have previous relevant experience. 
• Need to be a qualified planner and chartered member of the RTPI. 
• The ability to research case law and good practice in the further development of this area of work.
• Strong ICT skills.
• Have a full UK Driving Licence and have access to a suitable vehicle for travel to and from development sites.

What we offer

• Being part of an innovative, forward thinking, supportive and solutions focused team.
• Smart working – Working in a ways that gets the best outcomes. 
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement (23 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays (raising to 28 days after 5 years service)).
• Flexi time – being able to accrue up to 13 additional flexi days + 5 additional banked flexi days per annum.
• An attractive pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Equality of opportunity

We are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities including from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these groups are under-represented at SLDC, particularly at senior level. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for vacancies will be guaranteed an interview.

Would you like to join us, share and develop the experience and above all, make a difference…?

For further information including the Role Profile and details of how to apply, please visit us at https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-council/job-vacancies/

To accompany your application, please upload a CV summarising your employment history, qualifications and relevant experience. Please note, we are unable to accept CVs alone for job vacancies.

For an informal discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Nick Howard, Principal Specialist, in the first instance by email: Nick.Howard@southlakeland.gov.uk

Candidates that are shortlisted for interview will be informed by email.