Planning Policy Manager

Join Cheltenham Borough Council as a Planning Policy Manager and play a vital role in shaping the future of Cheltenham.

Location: Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 9SA

Salary: £47,227 to £52,547 per annum

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Closing Date: 6 December 2024

Come and work for an award-winning organisation!

We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council. We are committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting what is good about our town.

We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Planning Policy Manager - The Role:

The Council is increasingly involved directly in regeneration and growth initiatives with a firm commitment to deliver housing, skills development and employment opportunities for our communities, and a strong commercial focus. As part of a wider team you will drive our strategic planning and placemaking outcomes.

Being one of the council’s principal specialists set within the context of a council with an ambitious place making agenda you will play a key role in shaping Cheltenham; balancing the strong emphasis on growth with the need to conserve and enhance Cheltenham’s rich cultural, biodiversity and heritage offer, in the light of the Council’s ambition to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

We are currently working through an investment plan into the planning team, and you will oversee this expansion across your portfolio.

Planning Policy Manager – Key Responsibilities:

- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Policy & Placemaking team including allocation of workflows and prioritisation

- Provide professional support and mentoring to team members both within and outside your team

- You will play a key role in delivery of our major development, regeneration, conservation and heritage, and landmark sites

- Being one of the council’s principal specialists, deliver a high quality and consistent approach to strategic planning and placemaking across the specialisms, balancing the ambition of the growth agenda alongside conservation and enhancement of our rich heritage, biodiversity and cultural offer, in the light of climate change issues

- Lead a high performing team within a culture of continuous review and improvement. You will foster challenge and innovation to help drive your service improvements with a focus on customer service and engagement

Planning Policy Manager – You:

- Professional qualification in planning or related discipline to degree level, appropriate to the remit of the role, or equivalent by experience

- Membership of a relevant professional body

- Evidence of extensive continual professional development

- You will have extensive experience within the development sector and able to demonstrate delivery of complex policy development and high-profile development outcomes

- Proven ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish effective working relationships with elected members, members of the public and other community bodies

- Ability to demonstrate sound knowledge and application of the statutory requirements and legalities in relation to planning services

Planning Policy Manager– Benefits:

- An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

- A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days rising to 31 days after five years. Part-time employees receive a pro rata entitlement of 26 days

- A flexible and agile working environment

- A comprehensive programme of learning and development

- Two days paid time off for volunteering

- Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes

- An employee counselling service

- Free eye tests (for some posts) and contribution towards the cost of glasses

- A cycle to work scheme

- Low-cost town centre parking for some jobs, depending on work location

Applications:

The council is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing date: 6 December 2024

To submit your application for this exciting Planning Policy Manager opportunity, please click on ‘Apply’ now!