Job profile for Planning Development Manager

Job Details

Job title: Planning Development Manager

Salary/Grade: SMG3

Service: Development Management

Reports to: Head of Planning

Manages/Supervises: Development Management Service Teams, Direct supervision of 3 x Area Managers, Admin & Validation Team Leader, Enforcement Team Leader, Landscape Team Leader, Lead Principal Planner and Principal Planner (S106).

Job purpose

Provide strategic leadership and management to the Development Management Service ensuring service priorities and performance targets are achieved on time and within budget.

Ensure Development Management Services are developed and integrated with other services to enable the Council to provide a cohesive, integrated approach to public service provision.

To ensure an effective planning application process which complies with statutory and corporate requirements and policy and applies an entrepreneurial approach to service delivery.

Principal Accountabilities

1.) Implementing strategy and developing the service:

Work collaboratively with Head of Planning to prepare and deliver the business plan for the service.

Implement an entrepreneurial approach to the management of the team to optimise fee income and make the most efficient use of resources.

2.) Planning and delivering services including managing change:

Lead on the delivery of a development management service, including the management and leadership of this team, so that it meets statutory targets and legislation and seeks to delivery corporate priorities.

Lead on the implementation of the Planning Service business plan to ensure performance objectives are delivered.

Ensure the service is accessible to all service users and the wider community in an inclusive way.

3.) Providing professional advice:

Ensure planning decisions are transparent, consistent and robust through clear communication of national and local policy and seek to reduce the amount of appeals through a proactive development management approach and member partnership working and training.

Provide advice, guidance, interpretation and evaluation and act as a representative and point of contact for Development Management on a range of specialist issues to ensure that statutory and operational requirements are delivered.

Ensure that the Council’s local and national profile is established, maintained and enhanced. Represent, advocate and negotiate within agreed parameters on behalf on the Council in national, regional and local settings to ensure statutory and operational requirements are delivered.

Ensure a consistent approach is used with planning enforcement powers.

Ensure effective procurement of specialist consultancy to support service delivery, as appropriate.

Oversee Section 106 negotiations and on viability work on major applications and ensure agreements are negotiated in the best interests of the Council.

4.) Managing and developing individuals and teams:

Inspire, lead and direct a skilled and motivated workforce that is able to deliver individual and operational performance to agreed standards so that it is recognised as a leader in innovation, excellence and best practice.

Ensure an effective allocation of skills and capacity within the team in line with budget constraints.

Manage and promote personal and skills development across the team.

5.) Building professional relationships:

Proactively develop, promote and maintain influential and persuasive relationships with councillors, colleagues, service users and stakeholders to ensure that operational objectives and performance targets are delivered.

Build new and enhance existing partnerships, to support the effectiveness of the Development Management function.

Develop and implement strong cross-service working to support the Development Management function.

Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to support and delivery the Council’s corporate vision, strategic objectives, and agreed priorities to ensure the long-term improvement and sustainable development of the organisation.

6.) Determining, Securing and Monitoring financial resources:

Prepare budgets for Development Management to ensure cost-efficiency and best value is achieved within agreed financial limits and operational objectives are delivered.

Generate and secure short, medium and some long term funding within defined guidelines to ensure that operational and Council objectives are achieved.

7.) Establishing information and communication systems:

Drive Development Management plans on information and communication systems to ensure that statutory and operational requirements are delivered.

Ensure the service is accessible to service users and the wider community.

Ensure the ICT for the team is maintained at an appropriate level and is informed through new developments in e-planning delivery which facilities the delivery of the Council’s corporate vision, strategic objectives and agreed priorities as well as statutory requirements.

8.) Using performance and management information:

Evaluate performance and management information and take action or where necessary, prepare reports making recommendations that influence service users and decision makers on improvement to service performance with the objective of achieving an upper quartile sector performance.

Corporate Accountabilities

To take responsibility for maintaining own health and attendance.
To support, contribute and comply with quality and governance procedures as directed by management.
To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of employment and service delivery.
To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Safeguarding Procedure in all areas of employment and service delivery.
Any other duties as required to support the business, including maintaining business continuity and during civil emergencies. All staff may on occasions be called upon to support the Council to deal with emergency situations affecting the community we serve. In the event of an emergency or a rehearsal for such an event, you may be required to attend at times and at locations outside of the normal hours and duties of the post and to adopt duties directed by the Chief Executive or their nominated representative for the duration of the emergency.
Any other associated duties detailed by Head of Service or his representative.
To advise Line manager if, at any time, the above duties and responsibilities cannot be performed.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

(Tested at application and interview stage)

Experience and Qualifications

Educated to Degree level in a discipline relevant to the post or a clear demonstration that the equivalent depth of understanding has been gained through experience in career to date (E).
Thorough knowledge and understanding of key issues and legislation relating to Development Management (E).
Extensive experience of managing planning applications across a range of complexity covering both urban and rural developments (E).
Experience of working at a management level within planning (E).
Experience of leading a complex planning, regulatory or public-sector service at senior management level (D).
Appropriate Professional Qualification (D).
A management qualification or management development training (D).
Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development (E).
Membership of RTPI (D).
Experience of Development Management (D).

Skills and Knowledge

Ability to lead and inspire others towards service and organisational success.
Demonstrable influencing, negotiating and conflict management skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels to a range of audiences with differing levels of understanding, networking, negotiating and ambassadorial skills.
Experience of working successfully with elected members within political frameworks, ideally within a democratic public sector context.
Knowledge of developing and implementing policies.
Ability to interpret and implement changes in legislation.
Experience of developing effective partnerships with other Councils and external bodies.
Excellent leadership and management skills with the ability to motivate individuals and teams.
Demonstrable evidence of effective, balanced report writing and excellent verbal presentation skills to wide and varied audiences.
Well-developed problem solving skills.
Experience or understanding of working strategically.
Effective project management skills.
Experience and evidence of developing and implementing change management programmes that improve service delivery.
Proven management experience, taking responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions.

Competencies

We test this at interview stage

Communicating Effectively

Demonstrate the effective use of the range of communication methods available: written, spoken, electronic, and use these methods in appropriate ways suitable to the context and situation

Communicate with staff and colleagues in a manner which is clear, fluent, accurate and concise
Listen well and seek clarification and understanding, avoiding jumping to conclusions or making assumptions
Ensure two way communication is in place for staff, providing opportunities for staff to receive and give feedback
Hold regular face-to-face, group and individual meetings to update staff and to exchange information, learning and ideas, etc.
Ensure that all communications adhere to organisational and legislative requirements such as data protection, equalities, internal standards, etc.

Performing efficiently and effectively

Promote good performance, developing clear, structured and efficient ways of managing workload and delivering results. Staff should challenge themselves and others to perform well, and to adhere to the Council’s performance management systems

Ensure that all work done by you and your staff is in line with business and service plans and supports the overall aims and ambitions of the Council
Encourage staff and teams to focus on performance
Provide opportunities for staff to contribute to planning and improvement of services
Use a project management approach to the achievement of key objectives, targets and projects
Encourage the use of learning and development as a means of improving service and people performance
Understand the Council’s strategy, priorities, services and markets
Understand the customer wants and needs and have plans to address these
Understand the wider sector in which the Council operates, including the political, economic, commercial and regulatory factors affecting it
Understand the Council’s unique selling point (USP) and use it to your advantage
Take a commercial view and understand the cost/benefit principles of business planning
Have an in-depth knowledge of current market trends and understand how to research and predict future changes
Understand the tenets of a good partnership and work effectively with key stakeholders (internal and external)
Work collaboratively to manage risk and maximise the benefits of opportunities

Using and managing resources efficiently and effectively

Demonstrate the effective and efficient use of the full range of resources used in and by the Council including time, finances, staffing, equipment, information, materials, buildings, etc.

Ensure the efficient use of staff time and skills, deploying staff effectively and monitoring staff related budgets
Ensure the efficient use of accommodation, materials and equipment to maximise cost effectiveness and efficiencies, while maintaining standards of health and safety and risk management
Ensure that systems of good housekeeping are in place for the management of equipment, accommodation, data etc. for yourself and your staff
Update yourself regularly on resource issues including budget expenditure
Ensure that procurement plans are in place for relevant activity

Engaging with the customer

Understand the needs and requirements of their customers, to provide excellent customer service, and to involve customers in the improvement of services

Ensure that your staff work to customer service standards
Seek out and listen to the needs and views of a wide range of customers
Ensure that the design and development of services have been shaped by customer needs and expectations
Ensure the delivery of services is mindful of the needs and requirements of the full range of customers and does not exclude any part of the customer base both internal and externally
Ensure that regular customer feedback is sought, analysed and acted upon

Working well together

Actively foster good working relationships with colleagues and customers in order to collectively achieve the Council’s direction and ambition

Co-operate and work well with team members, peers, senior managers and external partners in the pursuit of goals and objectives
Establish and maintain constructive and open relationships across the range of people you work with, achieving positive outcomes and sharing feedback with others
Establish a culture of team work and co-operation for your staff
Encourage problem solving

Managers/Leaders Competencies

Managing and Developing People

Effectively manage and develop staff in order to achieve the Council’s objectives, improve performance and job satisfaction, and to develop the workforce of the future

Use a structured approach to agree clear objectives and monitor progress in a positive way
Provide appropriate development inputs for all staff and evaluate outcomes of learning activity
Make a personal commitment and contribution to employee development e.g. coaching/mentoring
Take action to resolve performance issues speedily and effectively, and within policy guidelines
Develop self-awareness of own management style and seek to develop flexibility in order to be able to work effectively with a range of work styles
Create a culture of empowerment in which staff can excel, develop and take ownership of their work and responsibilities

Other conditions

This post doesn't require a DBS check
This post is politically restricted
This post doesn't entitle you to a lease car

Job profile updated
October 2026

Values and behaviours

Our values and behaviours are an integral part of who we are; they are the guiding principles that should inform how we work together, support each other and make decisions.

Our organisation thrives on the dedication and passion of its people and it’s important that we embody these values and behaviours and they become a part of our organisational DNA.

Our vision

We will be ambitious, support each other and work together in new ways to achieve outstanding results

Our core values

We value everyone

We respect, recognise and support our people, residents and businesses
We listen to each other, understand and treat everyone fairly
We care about our people and appreciate the unique qualities in us all

We work together

We respect, recognise and support our people, residents and businesses
We work as one team, recognising everyone's contribution
We build strong relationships and partnerships to deliver better outcomes

We are flexible

We embrace change and new ways of working
We are adaptable, open to new ideas and focus on solutions
We aim to constantly improve, and we are not afraid to challenge the status quo