Development Management Team Manager in Cirencester

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Development Management Team Manager to provide operational and professional leadership within our Planning Service. Reporting to the Head of Planning Services, you will play a pivotal role in driving service performance, ensuring the delivery of high-quality planning decisions, and translating strategic objectives into effective day-to-day service delivery. This is a key leadership position requiring strong performance management skills, sound professional judgement, and the ability to lead a high-performing team through a changing and demanding environment.

The successful candidate will manage and develop the Development Management Team, setting clear expectations, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, professional confidence, and excellent customer service. You will be responsible for monitoring performance, managing resources, overseeing complex planning matters, and ensuring decisions are lawful, proportionate, and aligned with planning policy. You will also provide expert advice to elected Members, applicants, stakeholders, and communities, while leading on appeals, complaints, and sensitive planning issues.

We are looking for a confident and independent leader with substantial Development Management experience, RTPI eligibility, and a proven track record of managing people and improving service performance. You will be comfortable making decisions in complex and ambiguous situations, balancing competing priorities, and delivering results under pressure. If you are passionate about developing people, driving high standards, and shaping sustainable development outcomes, we would like to hear from you.

• You will need a Planning or related degree.
• Eligibility for full Membership of the RTPI.
• Substantial relevant professional experience in Development Management (suggest: 5+ years or equivalent).
• Proven experience of leading/supervising planning officers and managing team performance.
• Experience of working flexibly as part of a team and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience of being involved in continuously improving services and developing products to meet customer need.
• Ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments.
• Ability to resolve complex issues by negotiation.
• Deliver commitments and take ownership of own caseload, reshaping plans to deliver required outcomes.
• Ability to work independently under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent in using a range of technology and software packages, including Microsoft and Microsoft Teams.

Special Conditions:

• Use of a car for work purposes.
• This post is designated as politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

What can we do for you:

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working.
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role).
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service.
• An extra two volunteering days per year to support a charity of your choice.
• A health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care.
• Generous contributory local government pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars.
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements.

About The Organisation:

We are rightly proud of the businesses, communities and residents who live in this beautiful part of the world, putting them first and at the heart of everything we do. We are busy recreating a council set up for success, which can deliver for the needs of our communities in a fast-changing environment. That means we need to be fleet of foot and look for innovative and creative ways to deliver against our Corporate Plan priorities.

Our plan focuses on a range of important priorities including delivering good services for residents, responding to the climate emergency, supporting strong local communities, and evolving the district's vibrant economy.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Our organisation is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.