Head Of Planning | Developer | Essex/Hertfordshire | Up to £85k+P

Summary/Purpose of Job:

·        To be a key senior member of the Planning & Design team, working closely with the Director you will be responsible for your own projects whilst providing guidance and advice where appropriate to other members of the team.

·        To assist in the delivery and continual improvement of the quality and effectiveness of our planning activities through guidance, leadership and focus in order to achieve or exceed the site values agreed within the Project Cost Plans and in order to achieve the Departmental and Corporate Objectives.

·        To maintain an excellent knowledge of existing, and changes to planning and other legislation that affect the potential for developing current and future sites.

Job Specific Key Tasks/Responsibilities:

·        In conjunction with the Director, you will provide planning feasibility advice/likely programme for achieving planning consent on site bids, to demonstrate the likely and maximum potential of any site.

·        To assist in the management of planning team personnel and outside consultants working on planning applications and condition sign offs.

·        To work with the Director to motivate, manage and organise the department.

·        You will manage assigned projects from site purchase to planning approval and discharge of planning conditions by leading specific teams in the Planning & Design Department and external consultants.

·        You will actively participate in Bi-Weekly Planning Meetings, reporting to the Director and the rest of the team against Programme, Cost Plan, Quality and Health and Safety.

·        You will work with the Technical Co-ordinator and Director to obtain the necessary consultant reports and surveys as agreed during the site purchase stage.

·        Working with the Director, you will formulate draft budgets for your projects and once agreed you will monitor and manage your projects in line with these budgets.

·        You will appoint consultants in accordance with the Group’s best practice procedures including Health, Safety & Environment Policy, and to manage carefully selected external consultants that have a proven ability to successfully discharge their responsibilities. Once appointed you are to manage all orders, engagements letters and agreements with the highest of standards of fiscal management.

·        Community consultation events are to be pro-actively organised in conjunction with the Director throughout the pre-application and application process in order to ensure that key stakeholders’ opinions are sought and addressed where possible and they are kept well informed of the progress of the application. Feedback is to be given to the Project specific Design & Planning team (internal and external) and including the Managing Director and CEO.  A summary is also to be provided to the Director for inclusion in the regular Design & Planning update email.

·        In conjunction with the Director, you will work with the Marketing Manager to ensure that the website (including consultation pages) and any communications are up to date in order to best sell the Group’s development vision in a timely and accurate manner throughout the process.

·        You will work with the Director, Land & Property Director, MD & CEO to prepare appropriate viability reports (using the viability report templates) which seek to give the local planning authority and community various options, to be updated as the scheme progresses gradually adding more detail, supported by national and local Guidance and third party experts, until a final and agreed position is negotiated with the viability expert.

·        Working with the Director, you will submit planning applications in line with that agreed in the Initial Scheme Report and in accordance with the agreed Programme and Cost Plan. Any significant variations from the agreed scheme are to be discussed and agreed initially with the Design & Planning Director and finally with the CEO and Managing Director prior to submission.

·        In conjunction with the Director and in respect of your projects you will produce and update the Planning Sections for each of the Key Stage Reports together with the Project Cost Plan and Project Programme.

·        In conjunction with the Director, you will work with other departments and provide them, in a timely fashion that adheres to the timescales laid down by the Group, with the necessary accurate information, properly laid out, to enable them to discharge their responsibilities with the maximum of efficiency whilst at all times making best use of Group’s resources.

·        You will ensure your own communication and relationship with all Group’s stakeholders is handled properly, professionally and in a way in which is consistent with the ethos and strategy of the business.

·        To produce projects that enhance and maintain the high reputation of the company.

·        To draft and agree project budgets and programme against which you will manage the project and the team (internal staff and external consultants)

·        To produce regular information & reports in line with Group requirements that allows project performance to be objectively assessed. Information and reports will accurately forecast project progress in terms of programme, costs, and potential.

Experience Required:

·        At least 5 year’s experience in a similar planning role with proven success.

·        To have a sound and practical knowledge and thorough understanding of the industry its products and processes.

·        To have a sound and practical knowledge and thorough understanding of the industry its products and processes.

·        To be able to communicate at all levels internally and externally in a professional manner.

·        To be proficient and accurate in all aspects of work.

·        To have a sound understanding and appreciation of the importance of Health & Safety.

·        To be financially aware (cost management).

·        To be computer literate i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Project

In return:

·        Up to £80,000

·        Car/allowance

·        Bonus

·        Pension match