Head of Development Management

What will you be doing?

You will provide appropriate advice and oversee decision-making on all Development Management matters. You’ll have overall responsibility for the performance of the Development Management Service and ensure the Planning Service is consistently meeting, and exceeding, its statutory and corporate Performance Indicators and demonstrating best practice. You’ll ensure that planning decisions in the team are made with the utmost integrity and impartiality at all times. 

You’ll work with colleagues collaboratively to create the Service Plan and lead the communication and delivery of relevant outcomes to your teams.  

As a proactive and collaborative member of the Planning Leadership Team, an important part of your role will be to support the Assistant Director with aspects of continuous process improvement, the delivery of the Planning Service’s Communications and Engagement Strategy, alongside the co-ordination of the Agents and Developers Forum, Member training, Parish and Town Council training and staff CPD programmes as required. You’ll support our Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services by contributing to the formulation of planning policies as well as our Head of Enforcement and Monitoring with specific cases and negotiations to secure developer contributions in the local area.

About you

We are seeking an exceptional leader with a track record in senior management. This is a key leadership role that sits within the Planning Leadership Team, reporting to the Assistant Director of Planning and Development.  

With your extensive experience and expertise, you will lead, contribute, and support in the success of our Development Management Service. You will possess an admirable ability to communicate effectively and thrive on cultivating a high-performing team. Your focus on results and performance is evident in all your endeavours. 

You will be a corporate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and have evidence of continued professional development. A relevant undergraduate degree and managerial or leadership qualification is essential, as well as an excellent knowledge of working effectively in a political environment with a wide range of stakeholders.

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

About us

We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.  

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. 

Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it's like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU 

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.