Area Planning Deputy Team Leader

Area Planning Deputy Team Leader

Job number: CRS00292

Location: Civic Centre, High Street Uxbridge, Middlesex, London, UB8 1UW

Salary range: £50,031 - £54,129 optional retention allowance of approximately 5% (subject to terms and conditions)

Closing date: 29 March 2024.

About us

At Hillingdon we’re proud of our commitment of ‘Putting our residents first’, ensuring they’re at the heart of everything we do! We want to attract talented individuals like yourself who share our aspirations for the borough and who can support us to deliver exceptional services for Hillingdon.

With an ambitious strategy we pride ourselves on delivering services that improve the lives of all our residents, businesses, and partners. Embarking on a journey of continuous improvement, we’ve set an agenda to ensure the provision of; safer communities, a thriving local economy, a greener more sustainable environment, whilst increasing our digital capabilities.

Working at London’s second largest borough can be tough, particularly with government reforms, budget restrictions, and political attention – but it’s enough to keep us busy and ensures no two days are the same!

What does an Area Planning Deputy Team Leader do at Hillingdon?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high performing Development Management team in a new role created through a recent transformation of the Planning Service.

Our Deputy Team Leaders play a vital role in supporting our two Area PlanningTeam Leaders with the management of our area teams. As a Deputy Team Leader, you will be an experienced, proactive and highly competent development management professional, capable of carrying and effectively processing a varied caseload of planning applications, up to and including the most complex major development proposals.

You will be adept at dealing with complex pre-application enquiries and confident at representing the Council at appeal. In addition, you will have line management responsibility for up to 3 members of staff who you will guide and mentor through regular case reviews and 121 meetings. You will also have responsibility for recruitment and performance management of your sub-team, with the support and guidance of your Team Leader.

As part of the Deputy Team Leader role, you will assist the Team Leader and Area Service Manager with signing off planning decisions under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. You will also regularly attend the Planning Committee to present your own and your sub team’s planning application recommendations to elected members.

About you

Candidates should have a degree in Town & Country Planning, or equivalent discipline (such as geography, construction, architecture or design) and be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or working towards membership of the RTPI.

You will be expected to have prior significant experience of the end-to-end process of determining planning applications within a local government setting, including experience of successfully handling complex planning applications and related consents.

You must have experience of or the ability to supervise a team working on complex demanding caseloads and be able to successfully manage competing demands to tight deadlines.

As a competent planning professional, you will have extensive knowledge of relevant planning legislation, policy, and best practice, as well as the ability to present high quality written reports and verbal evidence relating to planning matters.

Additional Information

Equity, Diversity and Equality Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences of all individuals, and we believe that our workforce should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities. We recognise the value of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.

Join us in building a workplace where diversity is not only embraced but also celebrated, and where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Retention Allowance

This role benefits from an optional retention allowance of approximately 5% (in addition to the advertised salary), subject to terms and conditions.

Other Information

For further information, or an informal discussion about the role, please contact Roz Johnson – Head of Development Management and Building Control (rjohnson@hillingdon.gov.uk).

Please note that due to an expected high volume of applications, we could close this role early, we therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.