Job Introduction
Shaping the places and spaces around us, Milton Keynes City Council’s Planning Service plays a key part in the growth of Milton Keynes, and the role of Team Leader in Development Management is a great way to advance in your planning career, as part of the management team for a core planning function.
We’re looking for a proactive, ambitious, and hardworking person with great attention to detail, to confidently mentor and lead a team of development management officers. You’ll work alongside the other Team Leaders and the Development Management Manager, as well as the wider Planning Service to deliver physical, social and economic growth for Milton Keynes.
We’re currently moving to a new cloud-based software solution, and you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in this important project as well as several other projects designed to improve the quality and efficiency of our service.
You’ll be responsible for signing-off decisions, have direct line management responsibility for a team with varied experience, contribute to delivery of the team and service plans, and be a primary point of contact for development management matters. This role is ideal for an experienced Principal Planning Officer looking to more actively manage and lead a development management team.
We offer a £7,000 market supplement
Milton Keynes City Council is the first local authority to make a commitment to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Inclusive Framework. You can find out more about us and our achievements at www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk/planningjobsatmkc.
Main Responsibility
- Ensuring that all planning applications are efficiently and professionally determined whilst delivering an excellent customer service experience. You’ll have oversight of a team of officers working on a variety of applications, and may also deal with your own small caseload of strategic or high-profile applications - often attached to a Planning Performance Agreement.
- Management, leadership and coaching responsibility for a team of officers, including some officers with their own management responsibility.
- Sign-off responsibility for issuing delegated and committee decisions.
- Building and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Acting as lead officer at Planning Panel and deputising for the Development Management Manager at Planning Committee when required.
- Supporting the work of the Development Management Team to individually and collectively deliver the aims of the local plan, the corporate, service and team plans, and continuous improvement to the service.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of procedures and policy documents supporting the efficient operation of the Development Management service.
The Ideal Candidate
- Extensive and demonstrable knowledge and experience of the planning system, robust experience in a local government development management team, and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning institute.
- Experience of managing and mentoring junior officers and signing-off delegated decisions.
- A passionate individual with strong organisational skills with a proactive nature and ability to work using own initiative.
- Outstanding customer service and communication skills, confident in dealing with a range of customers and stakeholders in emotive situations.
- Ability to work as part of a team, sharing knowledge and experience, and constructively challenge to achieve productive outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Working knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office applications, such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience of using specialist planning software and appreciation of the importance of data accuracy, and a sound ability to read and interpret complex plans, drawings and supporting information.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
