Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Manager

Job Title: Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Manager
Hours: 37
Salary: HC12 £54,238 - £60,151 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 26/11/2023

Are you interest in shaping and guiding future planning policy both at a strategic and a local level? Taking on the challenge of plan making under a changing national framework? Working closely with local communities to help them achieve their planning aspirations? Then we have the perfect job for you.

Herefordshire Council is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Strategic and Neighbourhood Planning Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future development of the county and play a key role in delivering the Council’s regeneration and growth aspirations as well as supporting over 100 parish councils producing Neighbourhood Development Plans and design codes.

You will be expected to ensure high standards in the provision of advice and written reports to council committees, elected members and other stakeholders. You will lead in the preparation of evidence and act for the Council as the expert planning policy witness in the Local Plan examination. You will need to be self-motivated, be able to motivate others and demonstrate strong communication and presentational skills. You will need to effectively prioritise your own workload and supervise the work of others.

You will also be overseeing the technical support and advice to parish councils and community groups producing Neighbourhood Development Plans and parish wide design code. An understanding of working with the local community to achieve common aims is essential.

Key requirements

You should be a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and be able to demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development for yourself and those that you manage. You will have a Degree or equivalent in Town and Country Planning or a related subject

Significant experience of local government Planning Policy development and implementation is required as well as operating at a senior level with direct management and leadership experience. Effective communication and negotiation abilities are required, with experience in engaging with diverse stakeholder including working with parish councils and community groups delivering neighbourhood development plans.

Benefits of working for Herefordshire Council:

• A competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
• Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
• Generous Annual Leave: 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. After five years’ continuous service, this increases to 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
• Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

•Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme;

•Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant;

•Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.   

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you would like to obtain details regarding feedback on your application please contact Hoople Resourcing at: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk

About Us

Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county located in the heart of the Marches on the border with Wales. We are one of the most rural and sparsely populated counties in England with a wealth of unspoilt countryside, distinctive heritage, and lively and attractive market towns.

Our priority in Herefordshire is to keep children safe and give them a great start in life. It’s the priority for the council, our partners and for all of us who work with Children & Young People. 

How do we do this? By having dynamic, dedicated, passionate and professional staff who work in a culture that focuses on what we can achieve with children, what they can achieve themselves, and the relationship we build with families and partners to enable this. We have invested heavily in training and developing staff in our relational practice approach with our improvement partner Leeds City Council, so it's an exciting time to join Herefordshire – we believe in investing in you so you can be the best you can be!

 Herefordshire has a really strong team ethos. Our teams are passionate about the work they do and the positive difference they and the teams they are in make to people’s lives. This is all underpinned by the focus and support from their managers and the council as a whole. 

We will deliver better support to our most vulnerable children and their families, develop stronger relationships with partners across the region, and beyond.

Come to Herefordshire and join the journey.