Reference: PLN067
Salary: Grade 7 (£40,476 to £45,718)
Join us in laying the foundations for a better, brighter East Cambridgeshire
The planning team at East Cambridgeshire District Council is on a mission.
We are seeking highly motivated planning professionals, looking for an exciting and agile role to showcase and be rewarded for their planning skills to join our 29 strong Strategic Planning and Development Control Service.
We have an ambitious vision to create a better, brighter East Cambridgeshire. One that responds to residents' needs, adopts a digital first approach, helps protect and enhance our environment and is financially sustainable.
The past year has seen us review and significantly invest in our planning service to help prepare for a new Local Plan to shape the future growth and prosperity of our region. We also manage a busy and varied case load which includes overseeing several major projects, creating new supplementary planning documents, bringing on commercial sites and supporting community-led development and neighbourhood planning.
We have expanded our capacity and committed to adopting the latest technological advances that streamline our processes and enable us to deliver high-quality customer service. All this is supported by a new website launching later this year and an office refurbishment.
Come and join us at this pivotal time of change and help us make decisions with real and lasting impact.
East Cambridgeshire District Council is located in the beautiful cathedral city of Ely and prides itself on a unique and customer-focused approach to local government. We are small but mighty, with no debt and thanks to support from our trading companies, have not raised Council Tax for over 11 years.
We offer an excellent pay, holiday and pension package, plus flexible working and career development.
Quite simply, there has never been a more exciting time to pursue a career in planning in East Cambridgeshire.
We are looking for experienced planning professionals with a 'can do' attitude who:
- would like to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- thrive on varied, fulfilling and rewarding work
- want a key role in shaping future investment, growth and regeneration
The benefits
Our benefits include:
- generous annual leave allowance starting at 24 days per year
flexible working - local government pension scheme 17.4% employer contribution
- childcare package
- training, development and professional fees
- occupational health programme and sickness entitlements
- outstanding location - with it's excellent transport links, beautiful countryside and waterways, thriving markets and friendly communities, it is no surprise East Cambridgeshire is rated one of the happiest and healthiest places to live in the UK
About you
To be considered for the role, you should:
- have a recognised qualification in planning, appropriate to the level of the post, and/or equivalent experience
- be proactive and confident to demonstrate your judgement and initiative
- be a positive team player who wants to deliver for the council and our communities
- have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- be innovative and open-minded to respond to the changing planning macro environment
- have a passion to deliver high quality customer-focused planning outcomes
- have a valid driving licence
About us
We have big plans for the future and massive opportunities ahead.
As well as embarking on a new Local Plan and overseeing several major projects, we also operate in a recognised Enterprise Zone and have one of the largest number of community-led CLTs in the country.
You can read more about is in our Corporate Plan and in our Service Delivery Plans.
We know that our team members are our most valuable asset who work hard to achieve our short and long-term goals.
We offer a range of exciting benefits as an employer and are committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and in the services we provide. You can also view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
If you are looking to work for an organisation that prioritises environmental sustainability, the council has made a clear commitment to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner and has recently been awarded the silver accreditation of the Investors in the Environment scheme.
The role
- to lead, plan and be responsible for service development, the technical support service and customer services interface.
- to develop service standards, policies and strategy, and oversee projects to drive continuous improvement, adoption of best practice, digital tools and ensure effective communication with stakeholders.
- to develop, plan and deliver the Planning Service improvement plan, collaborating with the wider team to identify operational efficiencies and enhance the customer experience.
- to oversee projects and programmes relating to service improvements, communicating with key internal and external stakeholders.
- to manage the Planning Department technical support administration/customer care teams which provide advice, guidance and assistance to internal and external clients. To ensure applications are processed, examined, determined and assessed for fees within the relevant periods required by legislation.
- to manage the systems and procedures for the administration of planning applications from submission to decision within agreed timescales.
Post requirements
- business, management, degree or demonstrable experience of project, programme or change management
- any relevant professional qualifications in planning and related planning services
- successfully bid for funding to improve services
- experience in dealing with the general public and written/oral enquiries
If you are interested
If you think you have what it takes to be successful in any of these roles, even if you do not meet all of the essential requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet most of the criteria, we would love to hear from you.
For an information discussion about any of the posts please call 01353 665555 and ask to speak to the Director of Operations.
How to apply
You can apply for this vacancy online or download an application form for completion.
Closing date for completed applications: Friday 28 February 2025
Pease note that applications will be shortlisted and interviews will be offered as applications come in.
Therefore the vacancy may close before the closing date.