Operations Manager National Infrastructure

Details
Reference number

434470

Salary

£46,689

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

PINS - Operations

Type of role

Operational Delivery

Planning

Project Delivery

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Bristol, South West England, BS1 6PN

About the job
Job summary

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are examined under the Planning Act 2008 and the cases include large offshore wind farms, strategic road projects and water infrastructure schemes, amongst many others. The process is governed by statutory timescales and the work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities in which they live and the economy.

As an Operations Manager, you will help to deliver and develop the NSIP process. Key areas of work include leading and developing the teams that undertake infrastructure casework, supporting the strategic and resourcing functions of the Operations Lead, and engaging with a range of stakeholders at pre-application and through the application process.

The role will be based in a team dealing with NSIPs, with the potential for other infrastructure or environmental casework.

Job description

Are you a team player who is passionate about creating better places for people to live, work and relax in? Do you thrive on leading teams in finding creative solutions and overcoming challenges through smart, continuous improvement? If so, you will enjoy our work which is crucial in enabling sustainable development.

We're looking for self-starters who are enthusiastic about improving the planning process for all involved, who enjoy problem solving and are confident in advising applicants and stakeholders and can nurture diverse and inclusive teams. You will be able to thrive in a hybrid environment which requires being proactive and dedicated to working collaboratively with others.

Needless to say you can expect support and guidance from senior colleagues. However, you should be comfortable using your own initiative to consider what the right way forward should be on the issues you come up against, including being willing to seek out the views of peers on more complex matters.

As an Operations Manager, you will have regular contact with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, working on delivery of large infrastructure projects as they go through the DCO application process. You will be providing advice to applicants and other external stakeholders, and following appropriate training you may well be the most senior representative of the organisation at those meetings.

Every day will look slightly different, you could be speaking to Inspectors and providing them with advice and resources, liaising with colleagues to enable deadlines to be met, providing advice to external parties, or finding ways to improve and develop our processes and service levels. You'll be dealing with queries that are escalated from project teams where issues are novel, building relationships with our stakeholders and you will also meet with Government Departments regularly to understand key issues and the direction of policy.

You will role model excellent leadership, providing support and mentoring staff to ensure that they are able to fulfil their potential and all work towards our common goal. For this you will need to be able to quickly understand the challenges and risks and resolve issues.

You will work collaboratively with all colleagues in the Inspectorate and build effective working relationships with a wide variety of external stakeholders including other government departments. You will be committed to promoting a culture of continuous service improvement.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.

More about the Planning Inspectorate

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Experience listed within it below:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of understanding and interpreting legislation and of applying policy guidance to a decision-making process.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of a planning or infrastructure environment
• Well developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate and present complex issues and to develop good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable influencing/negotiating skills.
• An understanding of how to use performance data to forecast and plan resources to deliver on time and quality measures.
• Ability and willingness to occasionally attend hearings and visit sites across the country which would include overnight stays.

Desirable:

• Experience of managing teams of varying grades and non-staff resources.
• Experience of understanding and applying Planning Act 2008 legislation.
• Full member and or/chartered status in an appropriate professional institute

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,689, Planning Inspectorate contributes £13,525 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King's birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know
Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (1250 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, and experience questions.

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: w/c 10 November 2025

Interview Date: w/c 25 November 2025

Interviews will be held at The Planning Inspectorate, Bristol, further details will be sent with the invite to interview.

The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment

The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit list order

We appoint in merit list order, starting with any permanent appointments followed by any fixed term appointments.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Chris White
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team ).

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team ).

If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission.

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