Principal Development Infrastructure Officer

Principal Development Infrastructure Officer (Planning Contributions/S106)
PO5, £51,099 - £54,135

Do you have a flair for developing new processes, have a good knowledge of town planning including enforcement, understand the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)  functions, write briefings / guidance notes with ease and generally can pick things up quickly?  If you answered yes to three or more of those questions and fancy a year (or more) of this interesting work - read on for the detail!

We are on a mission to drive forward positive change for Lambeth.

We’re looking for a Principal Development Infrastructure Officer, to help us make meaningful change and improve monitoring systems to ensure optimal delivery of for non-financial planning obligations like affordable housing and workspace and other key infrastructure. Like all change, it takes passion, resilience, and commitment. But you’ll be inspired by your hard work because every day you get to make a difference and change lives.  The role is based in our Development Infrastructure team.

We are open to offering this on either a permanent or a 1 year, fixed term opportunity. We are looking for an individual that can learn quickly, hit the ground running and motivate others to create and demonstrate impact. From day one, you’ll be ready for the challenge - working in a fast-paced environment. Whether it be designing new processes, liaising with developers delivering strategic developments, inputting into s106 legal agreements or responding to politicians, no two days will be the same. 

The role involves line managing up to two direct reports, as well as overseeing work of other officers on specific workstreams. Your enthusiasm for the mission must be matched with a demonstrable ability to nurture people, maximise the performance of a team and deliver on our ambitious outcomes.  Ideally, you will have an excellent understanding of town planning, with an interest in data analysis, reporting and an eye for detail. Working knowledge of Exacom software would be a bonus, but not essential.

About the Development Infrastructure team

The Development Infrastructure (DI) team sits within the Operations & Innovation team and the Climate and Integrated Growth Directorate (CIG.) CIG is at the heart of driving positive change for our residents and businesses in Lambeth; whether that’s creating new homes, new work or creative spaces, employment opportunities, or tackling the climate emergency.  

The recently formed DI team has a focus on ensuring that the right infrastructure is delivered to support growth in the borough and on monitoring non-financial planning obligations found within Section 106 Agreements (s106). The team works very closely with the s106/CIL team which focuses on financial obligations and CIL. 

In this role you will:

The successful candidate will have a wide remit of duties including: 

• Develop improvements to the way in which the service operates with a focus on implementing and managing systems and mechanisms to ensure effective monitoring of planning obligations.
• Develop accompanying protocols and guidance for all systems and processes relating to monitoring obligations and develop best practice, liaising with other teams and external parties. 
• Have a varied caseload of applications to discharge planning obligations.
• Oversee work of other officers including management sign off of planning obligations related reports of other officers. 
• Assess progress of active construction sites and liaise with developers to ensure they meet their obligations by the relevant triggers and lead on enforcement action where required. 
• Comment on planning applications and input into Heads of Term negotiations to secure the best outcomes for the borough.
• Input into draft s106 agreements to ensure that they align with the council’s monitoring systems, planning policy and the work and priorities of other services. 
• Liaise with legal and other services to update s106 templates. 
• Work with other services (Housing, Employment and Skills, Affordable Workspace, Trasport and Highways etc) to oversee the delivery of infrastructure and other benefits secured through the planning process. 
• Facilitate the flow of information, encourage collaboration and cooperation to maximise the benefits arising from new developments and to align infrastructure provision with residents’ priorities and projects identified in other strategies.
• Provide professional advice on infrastructure related matters.   

Requirements

• In depth knowledge of relevant town planning and CIL/s106 legislation and policy
• Strong understanding of affordable housing legislation and policy including viability reviews 
• Understanding of S106 agreements’ role in securing affordable housing, affordable workspace, public realm and other planning obligations
• Excellent communications skills: you are positive and able to engage others both above and below you with a naturally tolerant, pragmatic manner.
• Demonstrable strong problem-solving skills with a strong ability to diagnose and implement solutions.  

Key qualities

• Excellent communications skills: you are positive and able to engage others both above and below you with a naturally tolerant, pragmatic manner.
• Strong engagement skills: you build trust with others and develop positive, collaborative working relationships with other stakeholders (both internal and external)
• Collaborative: You are unafraid to learn from and share learnings in a relaxed manner Open to change are adaptable, curious, with a flexible, positive attitude that isn’t afraid to try new things  

What's in it for you?

• 35 hour working week with flexible working opportunities.
• 26 days holiday entitlement (rising to 34) –  Hybrid working (currently up to 3 days/week working from home)
• Professional learning and development 
• Local Government Pension Scheme 
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• The opportunity to be part of an evolving service and opportunities to input into exciting innovative projects.  

You can find more about the benefits of working at Lambeth here.

For an informal chat or further information on the role please contact Magda Kotyza, Development Infrastructure Lead on 020 7926 1270 or email MKotyza@lambeth.gov.uk.

 Job Description & Person Specification

The closing date for receiving completed application forms is Sunday 14th April 2024 at midnight.

How to Apply:

If this sounds like your ideal next challenge, How to apply: Please click here or visit our website www.lambeth.gov.uk/jobs to complete online application. 

Please note we operate an anonymised application process.  A statement outlining how you meet the shortlisting criteria marked on the person specification can be inserted on the application form or a PDF version can be uploaded.  If you are uploading your CV or a statement, please remove your personal details and replace these with your unique candidate application number.

Interviews and assessments to be held shortly thereafter.

Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment.

You will also be required to undertake a Cifas check.  Further information about Cifas can be found here Cifas

We are a Stonewall diversity champion; a Living Wage Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. Please click here for a full list of our accreditations.