Development Manager - Harlow District Council

37.5 hours per week (banking 30 minutes per week to be used towards the shut down between Christmas and New Year)

These are exciting times at Harlow as the Council delivers on its ‘Building Harlow’s Future’ plan that will see a once-in-a-generation programme to transform our council, rebuild our town and secure our future. As part of these missions we want to create one of the best town centres in the UK, an exciting, dynamic space that serves people of all ages, at all times of the day. From new shops, bars, and restaurants to vibrant cultural spaces, entertainment venues, and world-class public realm, Harlow will be a destination where people come to live, work, and play.

Harlow is also at the centre of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town which is delivering sustainable, inclusive growth and regeneration in and around the district over the next decade and beyond, which will see over 19,000 new homes, a 50% increase in employment opportunities, a new hospital and a comprehensive Sustainable Transport Corridor network. This transformation is supported by £63 million of Government funding and significant private sector investment.

Harlow Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Development Manager to lead and strengthen our Development Management planning team responsible for processing all planning applications across the district. You will be a dynamic and organised planning professional with significant recent experience of complex development proposals.

The role will include the day-to-day management of a team of Principal, Senior and Planning officers dealing with all aspects of development management as well as Planning Enforcement, and the admin functions that support the service. You will also be expected to deputise for the Director of Planning and Garden Town on occasions.

You will oversee the delivery of major development sites including the strategic housing site at East of Harlow which is part of the new Garden Communities in the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, the Council’s regeneration priorities across the town centre and will deal with a wide range of complex planning and regeneration issues. The successful candidate will also be responsible for delivering performance management systems to secure excellent customer service whilst developing new and more efficient business processes, making an important contribution to the Planning service.

You must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and work to tight deadlines with the minimum of supervision, exercising tact and diplomacy at all times. This post will give you the opportunity to take on the challenge, and gain experience in joint working with other authorities.

You will also have been involved in public consultation and, ideally have worked with key partners to secure positive outcomes. Ideally you will have a good understanding of the development climate in the South East and will have a drive to help deliver a first class service to the residents, business owners and the wider Harlow community.

Key responsibilities:

• To be responsible for the management, supervision, direction and co-ordination of the development management employees under the direction of the Director of Planning and Garden Town.
• Ensure that the statutory Planning services are high-performing and fit for the future.
• To monitor, review and develop procedures to take account of changes in legislation and best practice at national, regional and district level.
• Represent and promote the Council on assigned internal, external bodies, partnerships and agencies.
• To manage assigned budgets to ensure expenditure remains within approved estimates and delivers Best Value.
• To deputise for the Director of Planning and Garden Town.
• Other duties appropriate to the role.
  

What we are looking for:

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• A comprehensive working knowledge and experience of Development Management, dealing with a full range of complex development management issues.
• Experience of deputising or supervisory experience of staff in development management.
• In depth knowledge of planning legislation and procedures. Experience in delivering major planning applications, preparing and presenting evidence for Public Inquires. Budget management. Detailed understanding of government and council polices, practices and procedures.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex situations, produce solutions and develop long term strategies to ensure delivery. Good interpersonal skills both orally and in writing to explain complex and contentious planning issues for those with and without specialist knowledge. Ability to work with a diverse range of people and train staff to undertake different duties. Able to work on own initiative and establish work programmes for the team.
• Able to form reasoned and balanced judgements. Ability to meet tight deadlines and time manage both own and a team’s work to prioritise conflicting demands.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Peter Alsop, Director Planning and Garden Town peter.alsop@harlow.gov.uk or (01279) 446201

Our policies support our employees by enabling a positive work/life balance including flexible working where possible. In addition to this, the Council offers many excellent employee benefits which include, pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, health and wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance programme and development opportunities.

Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. People with disabilities will be offered an interview where they meet the Essential Criteria on the Employee Profile.