Job description - Director Planning and Regulation

Role information

Job Title: Director Planning & Regulation
Position Type:Permanent
Hours: 37
Grade and Salary: Service Director 2 - £105,000 (pro rata for part time)
Location: Hybrid - Oxford Town Hall and Work from home
Service Area: Planning & Regulation / Place
Responsible to: Deputy Chief Executive - Place
Responsible for: Headcount of circa 110 employees
Assets: n/a
Budget: Circa £8.6m - subject to variation
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Not Exempt
Candidate Screening: Not required
Driving Licence: Not required
Political Restriction: This post is politically sensitive

Role purpose

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team to share collective responsibility for corporate leadership, working collaboratively with Members, services across the council, partners and stakeholders to deliver the councils objectives and priorities.

As the Council’s most senior qualified planner, to be accountable for and lead, develop and implement the council’s work, to drive high performance in the Council’s services and functions relating to Planning and Regulatory Services, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and relevant regulatory frameworks and legal requirements.

To champion sustainable development, good place making and effective spatial planning of Oxford and Oxfordshire to the benefit of Oxford’s communities.

Role responsibilities and main duties

To be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working with elected Members to provide a clear Council vision, develop and deliver the council’s MTFP and Corporate Strategy and align strategies, resources and services to achieve these.
To be accountable for the performance of Council services within the Planning and Regulatory Services directorate to deliver agreed priorities and outcomes within budget by working across the council, partners and community.
To be the Council’s strategic advisor on Planning and Regulatory Services, to advise and work with Members to develop and implement strategies and policies for the Directorate which contribute to and deliver the Corporate Strategy.
To provide direction, guidance, coaching and support to Business Leads and operational managers in your service areas.
To develop and implement ways of operating which deliver high performing, value for money, sustainable and cost-effective services.
To be accountable for effective programme, project, risk and budget management in your area of responsibility to ensure agreed outcomes and targets are achieved.
To be accountable for those budgets related to the Service, ensuring compliance with the Council’s Constitution and Standing Orders and that the Council receives value for money from its expenditure.
To contribute to corporate programme boards which develop strategy and policy, implement programmes and projects and monitor performance.
To develop a collaborative organisational culture to develop high performing teams who are empowered to take ownership, learn, influence and deliver corporate objectives and exploit opportunities for joined up working.
Ensure that citizen focus is embedded in service delivery across the Council, making use of customer insight data and a customer experience approach.
To be a champion for equalities and diversity principles, ensuring that they are integrated into all aspects of service delivery so that the needs of the whole community are met.
To be an ambassador for the city council with an outward focus to represent the council, make connections and champion effective partnership working to achieve the council’s objectives and improve service delivery.
To be accountable for ensuring that the council’s policy and practice of services in your area complies with all statutory and legislative obligations, and good practice across the sector
To share collective responsibility for a sustainable and deliverable financial strategy across the organisation, ensuring strategic and integrated financial business and resource planning to support delivery of high-quality services and priority projects
Ensure clarity of responsibility for commissioning and clienting of services provided by the council’s wholly owned companies in the service areas within your responsibility as required.
To serve as a Director on the Board of one or more of the Council’s wholly owned companies, joint ventures and partnerships as required, and where unrelated to Planning.
To contribute to managing and planning for emergencies ensuring that services have a sound approach to business continuity.
To deputise for the Deputy Chief Executive – Place with authority to act in their absence.

Specific responsibilities

The areas of responsibility and line management responsibility may change over time but at the commencement will include:

Development Management, ensuring developments adhere to national and local regulations and statutory requirements.
Planning Policy
Environmental Health Regulation,
Private Sector Regulation services,
Home Improvement Agency
Building Control
Development and application of the Local Plan and all associated documents
Infrastructure planning & the Community Infrastructure Levy, and Heritage and Urban Design.
To lead engagement, co-ordination and co-operation with the County Council and neighbouring district councils on all aspects of planning, including spatial planning, infrastructure planning, and development management.
Client liaison for ODS:
- Pest control
- Dog wardens
- Adhere to Proper Officer responsibilities assigned to the role in the Council’s constitution.

Who we are looking for

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of demonstrating that they fulfil the following criteria that is listed to be ‘Assessed at: Application’ on their application form and should include clear examples of how they meet these criteria.
Each of the criteria below will be measured through, the application form, interview, test/exercise or documentation (eg a qualification document).

Essential Criteria

Professional qualification in town planning and evidence of continued professional development
Significant recent experience of successfully leading and managing planning functions within a Local Authority setting
Significant experience in a planning related field of successfully leading diverse and multi-functional teams in a complex and agile organisation, translating policy direction and strategic objectives into practical local plans and action
A significant track record of developing and implementing effective strategies and best practice in service delivery in the key areas of responsibility within Planning and Regulation and in taking on new areas of responsibility
Track record in developing and leading effective management of multi-functional teams, inspiring and sustaining high performing teams to deliver successful outcomes against targets
Significant experience of implementing programmes and projects, resources, budgets and stakeholders to drive efficiency, value for money, a focus on citizens and improve service outcomes
Political acumen – track record of working within a political environment, considering political interests and governance requirements and ability to liaise, advise, gain buy-in and support elected members
Significant experience of developing strategies and policies that drive improvement in service outcomes
Experience of leading and delivering significant change and business development initiatives, including people, workforce planning and cultural change
Demonstrable critical thinking, analytical and decision-making skills
Demonstrable communication and negotiation skills. Able to represent the organisation at high level and on external boards
Significant experience of working collaboratively internally and externally to leverage maximum value from resources and opportunities and deliver impact
Understanding of the importance of and ability to operate within a robust governance structure, meeting specific budget, professional and legal standards, operating with integrity and upholding council, professional and statutory responsibilities
An understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and standards in your areas of responsibility and experience of ensuring these are met across services
An appreciation of innovation in technology and service delivery and how it can improve outcomes, efficiency and promote inclusion
Highly developed programme management skills, including ability to lead the preparation of robust and clear business cases, reports and project briefs
Proven financial planning, budget and risk management skills - track record of delivering cost reductions/income generation targets whilst assessing risks and delivering value for money services.
Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
Evidence of commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and their application in practice

Notes to candidates

In addition to the above criteria, Oxford City Council has developed and embedded a suite of values and behaviours. Full details of these can be found on the Our values and behaviours page. Please familiarise yourself with these values and behaviours. If you are invited for interview you will be asked questions based on them.