Development Management Team Leader

Norwich is a vibrant place to live and work, with a city centre of international heritage importance set within the Norfolk Broads National Park. The city and the area around it are home to nationally and internationally known companies such as Aviva and Lotus. Norwich City Council manages the competing demands of business, residents and the natural environment; it supports the growth and development of Norwich through an ambitious programme of regeneration on diverse and complex sites, including the East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area.

The Development Management Team Leader will lead a team of planning officers processing and determining planning applications for ‘householder’, ‘minor’, and ‘other’ development.  The post-holder will liaise with applicants, councillors, members of the public and consultees to deliver the best results for development in Norwich by determining applications, offering pre-application advice and explaining the development management process. The post-holder will mentor and supervise their team and support the Development Manager and Head of Planning and Regulatory Services to deliver improvements across the development management service.

Job Description

Job Purpose

• To have line management responsibility for and lead a group of professional planners in the management and delivery of development proposals which implement spatial planning policy, the shared community vision and the regeneration and sustainable growth of Norwich.
• To take management responsibility for the evaluation and processing of major development proposals within agreed performance targets.
• Working with the Development Manager to ensure that the team’s workload is appropriately managed, and process and service improvements are identified and achieved.
• To contribute to the delivery of an effective and focused Planning and Regulatory service for the council

Responsibilities

Key Service-Related Accountabilities

• Manage and authorise the day to day operation of professional planners and support staff, including identifying training needs, recruitment, agreeing and setting targets, authorising absence requests, monitoring sickness and ensuring sufficient capability and capacity exists within the team. This includes enhancing the performance of the team through effective training, coaching and feedback. Recruit, train, coach and motivate new and established team members. Provide advice and guidance on the interpretation of planning procedures and regulations and ensure learning and data sharing is consistent and facilitated across the team/service
• Working collaboratively with managers across the planning and regulatory service to deliver and monitor effective performance management, this includes ensuring internal performance data is available on workloads/backlogs/issues etc, meet quality and customer service standards and operate financial controls including income generation
• Manage the workload and resources of the team, preparing team plans and managing staff and providing input to service plans and monitoring and forecasting information as required for management purposes by the Development Manager
• Act as a manager, working in conjunction with support staff, and others, to deliver and monitor effective performance, meet quality and customer service standards, and operate financial controls including income generation and the refund of overpayments via interpretation of fees regulations etc. To ensure;
  • The appropriate allocation and management of the work programme to ensure that performance is delivered to a high standard; and
  • The identification and delivery of service and process improvements to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of systems and customer service are enhanced
• Provide management information for monitoring performance. Provide advice and guidance on the interpretation of planning procedures and regulations
• Implement and operate the Community Infrastructure Levy in relation to the processing of planning applications and liaise with others, as necessary, in relation to the compliance with decisions and enforcement of collection of monies, it’s spending on infrastructure and any future review
• Prepare reports, documents, briefings, presentations, evidence and advice internally and for external bodies
• Prepare, in conjunction with lawyers and other professionals, evidence in respect of planning appeals and be the Council’s expert witness at Hearings or Public Inquiries. Present cases at Planning Applications Committee and at other meetings
• Ensure effective liaison and support of enforcement staff and planners to ensure an integrated approach to and effective delivery of planning enforcement
• Deputise for the Development Manager as required
• Lead on the delivery outcomes for a specialist team, ensuring that agreed outcomes/milestones are being achieved through effective management against key performance indicators
• Ensure that professional advice is provided to all service areas across the council on the activities covered by this post and the team managed
• Lead on work priorities set by the Development Manager and develop work plans for the team to deliver against those priorities
• Ensure the postholder and the team comply with relevant statutory legislation in relation to their roles/duties

Skills Required

• Up to date and detailed knowledge of planning law and procedures, including Environmental Impact Assessments, and emerging national and regional policy guidance
• Understanding of the political context within local government
• The policy basis and background to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the relationship with section 106 agreements delivered through the development process
• Different approaches to effective public consultation and stakeholder engagement
• Significant experience of successful project management, processing, assessment and consideration of complex planning applications and development proposals
• Understanding and interpretation of planning fees, CIL and associated regulations
• Performance and quality requirements for service delivery
• Experience of analysing environmental statements
• Experience of negotiating and securing community gains via the planning process
• Experience of staff supervision and/or mentoring
• Experience of working collaboratively in cross cutting organisational teams to deliver shared outcomes
• Proven experience of budget management and resource allocation
• Experience of engaging with a wide range of staff and customers
• Experience of dealing with the public in responding to queries or complaints
• Excellent IT skills and computer literacy including use of planning software e.g., GIS
• Ability to manage a team of professional planners and other staff engaged in Development Management
• Ability to project manage workload and that of the team to initiate and deliver service improvement
• Ability to see the bigger picture and an understanding of how decisions taken in one area can affect delivery in others
• Proven negotiation skills with the ability to influence a range of stakeholders
• Ability to identify and respond to emerging opportunities or challenges, adapting approach as required
• Ability to demonstrate problem analysis techniques
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail with the ability to identify problems and develop solutions
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and perform under pressure to meet service targets
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of diversity and equality requirements around service delivery
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to deliver presentations at committee and to write clearly and plainly appropriate to the needs of the audience
• Ability to provide clear explanations of policies, give professional judgements of material planning considerations and make logical decisions
• Good listening skills and the ability to respond to the diverse needs of others and to present information effectively to a diverse audience in a manner which is appropriate for the recipient
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service and proactively look for ways to improve the customer experience
• Good analytical skills with the ability to interrogate data and a creative approach to problem solving
• Ability to “model” appropriate behaviours that encourage a culture of empowerment, initiative, and transparency across the Council
• Flexible, confident, and self-driven

Educational Requirements

Educated to degree level in Planning or related subject

Membership of the RTPI or if not already attained, a willingness and ability to attain/maintain corporate membership or significant relevant experience at a senior level beyond that normally required

Evidence of continuing professional/personal development

Why work for us

Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.

To find out more about working and living in Norwich visit Work in Norwich | Job & Business Opportunities in Norwich

The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve, to find out more about what it is like to work in local government visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.

Equal Opportunities Policy 

The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.

Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.

Benefits

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package and are proud to have the Living Wage accreditation. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

• All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part-time employees
• In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas
• Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support