Senior Urban Development Planner

Position Overview

The Office for Place is a newly formed, independent public entity dedicated to generating evidence, guidance, and resources that facilitate the development of well-designed, sustainable communities. This initiative stems from the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and the introduction of the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code, which serve to assist local authorities and communities in defining what constitutes quality design in their regions.

The Office for Place aims to be a leader in aiding councils and the broader sector in effectively implementing governmental planning objectives.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to a pioneering organization focused on:

• Driving transformative change within the planning sector and across various levels of government, communities, and the design and development industries to ensure the creation and maintenance of attractive, healthy, and sustainable environments.
• Empowering neighborhoods and public officials to advocate for and realize new developments while managing existing spaces to be appealing, healthy, and sustainable.
• Enhancing the capabilities of public sector planners and the UK design and development sectors to become the premier place makers globally, supported by improved data on well-being, health, popularity, and sustainability.

Are you prepared to assist us in addressing this challenge?

In this role, you will help shape a comprehensive work program, playing a key part in advancing the government's aspirations for a more efficient planning framework. The Office for Place will undergo a standard review after a set period to ensure ongoing effectiveness for the government and taxpayers.

Successful candidates will initially be appointed within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with a planned transition to the new organization in the future. The terms and conditions will be confirmed but will remain at least as favorable as those currently offered.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals belonging to ethnic minority backgrounds and other underrepresented groups to enhance our representation of the diverse communities we serve.

Role Responsibilities

We are in search of qualified planners or individuals with equivalent experience to assist local planning authorities and the broader design and development community in matters of design and placemaking. We are recruiting for four positions, each of which will play a crucial role in enabling local planning officials to establish design standards for their areas through various initiatives of the Office for Place, ranging from urban design training to research and insights. As we operate in a start-up phase, flexibility will be essential as we work towards full operational capacity.

The successful candidates will significantly influence the Office for Place's initiatives, ensuring they are applicable and beneficial for local authority planners, ultimately impacting the design of homes and public spaces.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and managing projects aimed at supporting local authorities and the broader sector, ensuring resource efficiency and value, while actively seeking and incorporating feedback.
• Engaging with stakeholders, particularly local planning officials, to advocate for design excellence, gather insights, and disseminate information about available resources.
• Providing planning and design consultation to local authorities, the broader sector, and central government.
• Collaborating with other specialists within the Office for Place to share professional insights that will inform our work.
• Representing the Office for Place at external events with town planners, urban designers, and other professionals in the built environment, leveraging your credibility and planning expertise.
• Reporting on your activities to the Office for Place board, seeking guidance and responding to their feedback.

We have four openings for experienced planners or urban designers within the Office for Place:

• Accreditation Programme Manager – tasked with developing a supportive framework for local authorities preparing design codes based on insights from the Office for Place.
• Policy Manager – responsible for collecting insights from local planning authorities to inform the Office for Place's initiatives and those of other public bodies.
• Evidence and Insights Manager – dedicated to supporting local planning authorities and informing the Office for Place's work through the dissemination of insights and evidence on placemaking and design.
• Training and Events Manager – focused on assisting local planning authorities through training and sharing insights related to the Office for Place's initiatives.

Please indicate any specific role preferences in your application.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications: These roles will serve as a bridge between the sector and the Office for Place, guiding various organizational activities to ensure they are relevant and beneficial to local authority planning officers. Therefore, experience within the planning sector is essential. Candidates should be qualified town planners, urban designers, architects, or possess similar qualifications, with 1-2 years of post-qualification experience or demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.

Qualifications required include eligibility for RTPI membership, ARB Part 2, or another relevant built environment degree.

Experience: Candidates should have proven experience working as a local authority planner or urban designer, or collaborating closely with local authorities in urban design or placemaking roles. An understanding of placemaking and the various stages of the planning process, particularly concerning large-scale developments, is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of design and planning policies and promoting innovation and best practices. Professional networking and credibility within the planning profession are also essential.

Project Leadership: Candidates should demonstrate the ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, showcasing strong project management skills and experience working with delivery partners or stakeholders.

Problem Solving: A proactive, self-starting approach is necessary, with the ability to think strategically and resolve complex issues. Candidates should be confident in utilizing evidence and insights to inform their work and make effective decisions based on feedback from various stakeholders.

Communication: Excellent communication skills are required, with confidence in public speaking and engaging with local authorities, communities, and the planning and development sectors. Candidates will need to report to the Executive Team and the Office for Place board, presenting information authoritatively and concisely to support decision-making.

Design and Placemaking: Candidates should demonstrate a strong affinity with the objectives of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and a commitment to advancing the aims and objectives of the Office for Place.

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes significantly towards membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include:

• Tailored learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements
• A culture that promotes inclusion and diversity
• An average employer contribution of 27% towards your pension