Job Description

Town Planning Team Leader 
Hertfordshire 
£72/hour, Umbrella

We are seeking a Town Planning Team Leader to join a Local Authority in Hertfordshire. You will play a pivotal role in managing and supervising a team of planning policy staff through key stages of the local plan process and the development of future policy documents, guidance notes, and SPDs.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage a team of planning policy officers and external consultants.
  • Oversee the delivery of policy programs, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment with local objectives.
  • Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure 'duty to cooperate.'
  • Allocate and delegate workstreams within the team, ensuring timely and quality delivery.
  • Review and sign off delegated reports, ensuring accuracy and adherence to planning policy.
  • Engage in community and stakeholder consultations to gather feedback and inform policy development.
  • Provide policy comments on major planning applications.
  • Represent the Planning Policy Team at various council meetings, including the Member Planning Panel, Cabinet, and other councillor sessions.

Essential Experience and Skills:

  • Proven track record in handling complex policy planning work in high-pressure environments.
  • Project management expertise with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Leadership experience managing a team of professional, technical, and administrative staff within a service-based environment.
  • Innovation and initiative, demonstrating consistent achievement within a public sector setting.
  • Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Skilled in the preparation, submission, and presentation of committee and management reports.
  • Experience in applying and developing IT solutions to support a dynamic and changing environment.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Extensive experience leading a Town Planning team.
  • Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation and local government policy frameworks.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • A strategic thinker with the ability to innovate and drive forward policy initiatives.