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Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

  • Job Description
  • Person Specification
  • Structure Chart
  • Service Overview

Application Form:

The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 433402. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back.

Ipswich Borough Council

Job Description: K52

Operations ManagerPlanning & Development

Main Purpose of Job

To lead, manage and be accountable for the operational area, reporting directly to the Head of Development.

Main Duties

  1. To develop, coordinate, implement and review the annual Operational Plan for the Service, incorporating the Council’s risk management procedures.
  1. To lead and develop operational area employees using delegated powers authorised by the Head of Service. To manage and supervise employees in accordance with Human Resources policies and procedures and management competencies including a positive duty to promote diversity and equal opportunities.
  1. To be responsible and accountable for the operational areas budget/s including monitoring and reporting and the preparation of estimates as required by the Head of Service and in accordance with the Council’s financial procedures.
  1. To identify, coordinate and promote new and innovative opportunities to develop the service for the future including alternative methods of service delivery, external funding and partnership working
  1. Contribute to the development and implementation of corporate projects and policies.

Operational Duties

  1. To be the lead professional officer on all matters relating to policy and operational delivery for the town planning operational area including the strategic planning agenda, development management and conservation and urban design, reporting directly to Head of Service and Portfolio Holder; be responsible for the formulation of relevant service strategies, policies and objectives to deliver efficient and cost effective planning services to meet statutory and Council priorities.
  1. Take overall responsibility for the annual Operational Plan and day-to-day delivery and strategic direction of the planning service, ensuring that a joined up coordinated approach is taken; ensure appropriate flexibility for the teams to be able to adapt to fluctuating workloads inherent in the planning policy, development management, integrated transport and conservation/urban design workloads;
  1. To manage and support the planning work of the teams within the operational area as necessary including determination of major applications, appeals and enforcement cases, the preparation and examination of plans and the promotion of heritage.
  1. Identify and co-ordinate new and innovative concepts, principles and practices in the delivery of planning services; promote strong performance management and connect policies, strategies and decision making to action and outcomes; monitor, review and feedback information on individual and team performance, providing help and assistance as necessary to enable improvements in their delivery of services.
  1. Exercise delegate powers on behalf of the Head of Service and Planning & Development Committee including those for the determination of planning applications.
  1. Responsible for the preparation, co-ordination and presentation of reports to Council, Committees, Corporate Management Team, Working Groups, Panels, public examinations and external forums; manage the implementation of actions and policies agreed.; deal with major appeals and attend Hearings and public Inquiries as the Council’s lead planning officer and specialist witness.
  1. Provide expert advice on planning and conservation matters to include committee Chairman, Portfolio Holder, Councillors, Head of Service and deal with complex and sensitive issues of a political nature.
  1. Plan for the operational delivery of customer focused services to continuously improve the outcomes for both businesses, residents and other stakeholders. Regularly review service delivery with key stakeholders. Develop partnership working.
  1. To be responsible for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in own specialist/professional area in order to remain abreast of new developments, local and national issues, case law and relevant legislation, also maintaining comprehensive CPD records.
  1. Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed.

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Person Specification

Operations Manager Planning & Development

ATTRIBUTES

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ESSENTIAL

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DESIRABLE

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METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Qualifications

/ Degree in a management or professional/technical field and/or 5 years qualitative experience in a related field.
Up to date knowledge to technical and procedural developments in relevant field.
Chartered Town Planner with Membership of RTPI or other relevant professional body as required for the post.
Evidence of continuing professional development. / Application/Certificates
Relevant experience / Proven extensive management experience within a comparable organisation.
Experience to develop, co-ordinate, implement and review the annual Service area plan.
Experience of managing and control of budgets, including monitoring, reporting and preparation of estimates.
Proven success in establishing and maintaining a performance-orientated culture, which delivers efficient and effective customer services.
Experience in establishing and developing strong working relationships with a range of people from relevant organisations including professional bodies.
Proven ability to formulate relevant service strategies to deliver an effective and efficient service.
Effective project management skills.
Experience of successfully delivering innovative and creative solutions to service delivery.
Ability to understand and promote the Council’s vision and priorities as it applies to the Service area.
Ability to identify and manage risks within the remit of the job.
Sound knowledge of national, regional and sub regional issues and policies as it relates to Planning Policy and Conservation services. / Experience in managing planning related functions within a public sector organisation.
Demonstrate ability to use technology to improve business effectiveness.
Experience in managing multi disciplinary teams of Officers. / Application/Interview/Test/
Presentation
Specialist knowledge / In depth knowledge and experience of developing and implementing Planning strategies and policies.
A significant understanding of the future issues affecting the delivery and development of Planning and Conservation services and the development of strategies and policies, which will ensure the Council’s compliance.
In depth understanding and experience of all relevant design, regulations and standards and the inter-relationships with other disciplines such as Highways, Housing, Legal and Environment.
Sound knowledge of design and management of the built environment and conservation services.
In depth knowledge of planning development management, including planning applications, standards and enforcement.
Previous and demonstrable experience in partnership working. / Proven success in management of the operational delivery of relevant services and projects.
Knowledge of identifying funding opportunities to develop relevant services.
Broad knowledge of urban design.
Broad knowledge and understanding of financial management.
Personal skills / Demonstrate effective presentation and communication skills.
Ability to organise and prioritise workload and achieve objectives whilst managing competing pressures and conflicts of interest.
Ability to deal with sensitive political issues as it relates to the service.
Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff in a performance focused culture.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of equal opportunities and diversity issues in relation to employment and service delivery.
Ability to work collaboratively, building trust, mediating, conciliating, negotiating and delegating.
Demonstrate a customer focused and responsive approach that improves service delivery. / Ability to use technology to improve business and service effectiveness. / Application/Interview /Test/Presentation
Special working conditions / Will be required to work outside of normal working hours and to attend evening meetings. / Application/Interview

Ipswich Borough Council

Planning and Development

The Planning and Development team deals with the council's regulatory and non-statutory functions as Local Planning Authority. It includes the combined services stated below:

Development Management

Development Management provides key services to the development sector. In overall terms it is a front-line service, playing a key role in shaping the future of Ipswich as a place to live and work in, and also in contributing to the Council’s public image.

The service aims to secure the best quality development possible for the people of Ipswich; to operate an efficient, thorough, responsive and open Development Management and enforcement system focused on the needs of all of our customers. The team plays a part in promoting a wider understanding among the public and other bodies of the work and commitment of the Operational Area and the Council as a whole, within the constraints which exist.

Planning Policy

The primary responsibility of the Planning Policy Team is the preparation, monitoring and review of land use planning documents forming the Ipswich Local Plan. It fulfils statutory responsibilities in relation to land use planning.

Planning Policy’s other responsibilities include:

•Advising on planning policy issues and implementation

•Production of supplementary planning documents; and

•Representing the Council on a range of partnerships.

The Ipswich Borough Council Core Strategy and Policies development plan document was adopted in February 2017 and this forms the statutory development plan for the borough.

Work is currently being undertaken on an emerging Joint Plan with neighbouring authorities, aimed at delivering significant growth around Ipswich in a co-ordinated manner.

Conservation and Urban Design

The Conservation & Urban Design Service is the central focal point within the Borough Council for specialist technical and professional advice on historic buildings and areas and for urban design. The service operates to advise the Council, owners, occupiers and the general public about protection of the historic environment and about shaping places to maintain and reinforce the unique urban character of Ipswich. The team works with national bodies such as English Heritage but also with local groups such as Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, Ipswich Building Preservation Trust and the Ipswich Design & Conservation Advisory Panel.

Integrated Transport

Integrated Transport provides support for the Council’s transport and highways functions. These include public transport infrastructure and supported services, street lighting, public rights of way, highways liaison with Suffolk County Council and the issuing of access permits for restricted roads. Strategic work is also undertaken, including being responsible for the Council’s parking policies and setting tariffs and conditions for the Council’s off-street car parks, as well as covering the Council’s public transport policies, which includes strategic rail matters. The service also represents the Council on various regional strategic rail groups through this function.

Business Support Team

The Planning and Development Business Support Team provides administrative and technical support for the service covering Building Control, Development Management, Conservation & Urban Design, Integrated Transport and Planning Policy.