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Deputy Area Planning Manager (West)

Employer
Sutton Council
Location
Sutton
Salary
£41,586 - £49,674 (£51,717 unconsolidated maximum) plus a market supplement of £2500 per annum
Closing date
8 Jul 2022

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Discipline
Planning
Function
Manager, Planner
Sector
Local Authority

About the Role  

The role also offers an ideal opportunity for you to develop your management skills. The role will involve:-

  • Dealing with major and strategic planning applications and pre-application proposals
  • Assisting the Area Planning Manager in the management of the team
  • Being part of the Senior Development Management Team working on performance management and service enhancements
  • Coaching and mentoring of junior officers
  • Presenting to Planning Committee and giving evidence at appeals

About Us 

The Development Management team comprises two Area teams and an enforcement team supported by a business support and technical support team. Each area team comprises 5 members of staff and you would report to the Area Planning Manager.

Our approach is one of enabling development and early pre-application engagement to achieve good outcomes. The team regularly deals with all more than 90% of types of applications within statutory periods and we have a strong performance management ethic aligned to staff development through our annual appraisal process. The team was piloted to develop a Team Charter for how we will work well through the challenges presented by covid and there is a strong sense of togetherness and collaborative working. We operate a flexible approach to working with the team mainly home based, with attendance required in person for team days, meetings and Planning Committee.

We work very closely with our Strategic Planning and Building Control Teams which all fall under the management responsibilities of the Head of Service, and there are opportunities for collaborating on policy development.

About You  

To be successful in this role you will have :-

  • An appropriate degree or equivalent qualification accredited by the RTPI, as giving eligibility for membership of the RTPI and substantial post qualification experience of development management at a senior level.
  • Previous experience of managing and mentoring staff in a Development Management team.
  • Proven experience in negotiating successful outcomes on major and strategic planning applications.
  • Proven knowledge and understanding of planning legislation, policy and procedures in the relation to development management.
  • A sound knowledge of development management including design, viability testing and sustainability and the ability to understand complex drawings and translate them into built form on site.
  • Proven ability to write clear, concise and accurate reports on complex applications and be able to make clear recommendations under delegated business and Committee cases. 
  • Ideally experience in making and agreeing decisions under delegated authority. 
  • Ability to manage and prioritise the team’s workload in order to meet deadlines with minimum supervision. 
  • Proven ability to communicate clearly and courteously to a wide range of audiences both orally and in writing and to be able to deal confidently with members of the public, Councillors, applicants and their agents.
  • Ability to present cases at Planning Committee and at appeal through the written representation, informal hearings and public inquiry procedures. 
  • Good political awareness.

Our Offer To You  

As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.

In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps.

Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:

  • Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
  • Flexi-time (Please note, this applies to roles at grades 1-9 only)
  • Comprehensive learning and development programme
  • Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities
  • Interest free season ticket loans
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Car parking scheme
  • Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
  • Zip car scheme
  • Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
  • Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
  • Subsidised gym membership

Application Process  

Please apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please ensure you refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role please contact Andy Webber (Head of Development Management and Strategic Planning) on 07849 303552.

To support our diversity agenda and reduce the risk of bias in our recruitment activities, our short listing process completely anonymises personal information that can identify job applicants e.g. name, title etc. Our hiring managers review and short list applications based on the information provided as part of your application as to how well you meet the requirements and criteria for the role, as outlined in the job profile.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Additional Information  

We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming Borough and we aim to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve. We are respectful of difference and realise the positive value of diversity in our workforce. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. As part of our Disability Confident Committed status, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.

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