Planning Team Leader in London

Job Description

Job Title Planning Team Leader - Old Kent Road
Grade 12
Business Unit or Division Planning and Sustainable Growth Division
Department Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth
Purpose of the job
1. Responsible for providing complex planning advice, and applying this to the determination of planning applications, preparation of planning policy and guidance or other activities related to the town planning and regeneration service.
2. To lead teams of professional planners and regeneration officers in carrying out the functions of the planning and regeneration service and be responsible for the provision of highest quality, outcomes focused on the needs of clients including the Cabinet, committees, steering groups, other council bodies and elected members.
Principal accountabilities
3. To deliver complex and specialised town planning services including development management, the preparation of planning policy and delivery of planning related regeneration projects in accordance with recognised performance standards and delivery plans.
4. To take responsibility for decisions and recommendations regarding development management, planning policy and other related planning and regeneration projects and activities that will have far reaching and lasting effects on the development of the borough and which have significant impacts on the local environment, economy and community. - Decisions and advice given by the postholder have the potential to have major impact on the development value of land in the borough, the amount of development that can take place, the delivery of council priorities such as affordable housing and have major environmental impacts.
5. To provide advice on the statutory planning process reaching the highest standards of clarity and accuracy and to ensure that the impacts of planning policy and decisions is properly monitored and reported to demonstrate that it is effective in achieving the council's aims - Decisions and advice given by the postholder have the potential to have major impacts on the legal, reputational and financial risks faced by the council including judicial review.
6. To lead teams of professional staff working on planning decisions, policy and regeneration projects and apply effective methods of project management to ensure that all staff are operating at the appropriate level, are fully cooperating with all relevant colleagues and partner organisations and in accordance with all relevant procedures.
7. To innovate and promote service excellence so that all aspects of the service are delivered in the most effective way.
8. To demonstrate political awareness in the provision of expert advice to members and senior officers of the council on all aspects of planning decisions, policy and regeneration projects.
9. To attend and advise at formal meetings, to include committees and sub-committees, members, chief officers, steering groups and departments on matters relating to the work of the Planning and Growth Division.
10. To communicate with authority and clarity on behalf of the council in high level negotiations with outside organisations on matters with far reaching and long lasting financial and political consequences .
11. To maintain good governance and implement new procedures in accordance with changes in legislation, revised council policy including the review of charges imposed in relation to specific services.
12. To oversee the carrying out and commissioning of research to support planning decisions, the development of planning policy and the implementation of regeneration projects.
13. To ensure continuous improvements within the area of expertise, and that the service is responsive to the changing environment.
14. To maintain the improvement in equal opportunities in employment and service delivery.
15. To undertake other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.
Job context
16. The post is located in the Planning and Sustainable Growth Division which is part of the Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth Department in Southwark Council.
17. Southwark is a central London borough which is changing rapidly being at the centre of a dynamic world city. The council is committed to regeneration and is promoting major changes in many parts of the borough to tackle problems of multiple deprivation, increase opportunity and promote sustainable development.
18. The Planning and Sustainable Growth Division works with all parts of the council, to promote investment in the borough, deliver more and better housing to meet the borough's needs, promote economic development and life chances and improve the quality of life generally and promote quality and excellence.
19. The planning and regeneration service provides the statutory and strategic context for this development through the preparation of planning policy and guidance, development management and building control services, transport policy and planning related projects.
Contacts:
20. Negotiating on behalf of the council with senior representatives of the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, central government and other major partner organisations on matters relating to planning policies and regional strategies.
21. Negotiating on behalf of the council with major land owners and developers.
22. Negotiating with and presenting the council's policies and decisions to communities and community leaders and representatives.
23. Attending and advising at meetings of the Cabinet, committees and sub-committees on behalf of the council.
24. Briefing the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, the Chief Executive and other members of Corporate Management Team on matters of planning policy including taking individual responsibility for such briefings.
Financial Management:
25. Responsible for managing projects with a budget of up to £100k and has an understanding of the financial systems in a local authority environment.
Organisation charts

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job.

Knowledge, including educational qualifications: Essential (E) or
Desirable (D) How assessed (S/ I/ T)
The post holder must hold a degree in a relevant subject or a relevant professional qualification and provide evidence of continuing professional development E S
An understanding of how services are provided in a Local Government context and political awareness E I
An understanding of management concepts, practices and principles gained through experience E I
An understanding of the issues and financial constraints facing local government and, in particular, the services provided by the units under the post holder's direction. E I
An in-depth understanding of town planning and urban regeneration issues in a major city context E I

Experience:

Experience of programme management and project delivery in a major city context E I
Achievement of results to planned deadlines requiring complex technical work. E I
Preparation of reports to committee and/or senior council officers and external organisations. E S
Planning and carrying out public consultation exercises. E I

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:

Written communication
Produces written information which is clear and succinct.
Presents ideas in a well-structured format and in a manner appropriate to the context and the audience.
Able to create a clear brief for action where required. E S
Customer orientation
Constantly strives to achieve customer satisfaction.
Is sensitive to the needs of internal and external customers.
Demands a strong customer focus from all staff.
Recognises the business importance of customer satisfaction. E I
Change orientation
Looks for continuous improvement to meet ongoing requirements.
Responds positively to and learns from change.
Is receptive to new ideas.
Demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to challenge accepted or established practices and structures within appropriate limits. E I
Technical knowledge and skills
Has specialist knowledge of planning and appreciates the processes in delivering the planning related projects.
Uses qualitative and quantitative techniques to measure performance in own specialism.
Possesses the ability to provide support and guidance to skilled staff in technical matters that may be outside the post holder's detailed area of expertise. E I
Energy and resilience
Is enthusiastic and committed.
Demonstrates a capacity for sustained effort and hard work over long periods.
Remains calm, objective and in control in stressful situations.
Maintains stable performance under pressure.
Resilient and persevering.
Copes with disappointments and setbacks. E S

Special Conditions of Recruitment:

Comply with and promote the Council's Equal opportunities policy
The post holder will be expected regularly to attend work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening meetings.
The post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
The list of accountabilities in this document is not in order of priority and other tasks, commensurate with the grade of the post, may be required of the post holder from time to time.

Key: D Desirable S Shortlisting criteria
E Essential I Evaluated at interview
T Subject to test

Disclaimer:

This vacancy is being advertised by either Advanced Resource Managers Limited, Advanced Resource Managers IT Limited or Advanced Resource Managers Engineering Limited ("ARM"). ARM is a specialist talent acquisition and management consultancy. We provide technical contingency recruitment and a portfolio of more complex resource solutions. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission.