Director – Place (Full Time)

Jobs

Director – Place

Salary

£76,134 – £88,571 (including car allowance)

Expires

29/04/2025

Company

North Herts Council

Location

Letchworth

Job Type

Full Time

The role

As the Director of Place, you’ll provide a key leadership role in delivering the Council priorities by helping to create thriving communities through responsible and sustainable growth in North Hertfordshire. There is plenty of interesting work within the directorate, including:

• A review of our Local Plan adopted in November 2022 is underway
• The strategic sites in our current Local Plan are progressing through master planning to outline planning applications
• Creation of up-to-date town centre strategies for our main towns
• Working with neighbouring councils we have recently consulted on the North East Central Hertfordshire Vision 2050 for a potential Joint Strategic Plan

We are looking for an individual who will motivate, inspire and challenge both as a Director and as part of the Senior Leadership Team. This role offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to help steer the Place Directorate through the challenging local government landscape.

The experience you will bring

You will have sound knowledge of the national policy agenda facing local government relating to Planning services and experience in managing in a complex environment at a senior level.

You’ll be expected to provide efficient and effective customer focused results, working closely with colleagues and councillors is vital as well as collaborating with partners to deliver our key priorities. You will have strong leadership skills and ability to work strategically to achieve this.

If you want to work in a forward-thinking council to help us meet the challenges ahead and respond to the changing needs of our communities, then please apply.

Ideally, we are seeking experienced senior managers and leaders, but for the right candidate this role would be an ideal step-up opportunity.

The job profile for the role provides full details of the expectations and requirements.

Why work with us?

• At North Herts Council we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents.
• We would particularly like to encourage applications from female leaders and individuals from an ethnic minority background.
• We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, and we guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum requirements for the job.
• We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work/life balance, valuing our employees, and enabling them to make a difference to the local community.

Our benefits include:

• Generous annual leave, including Christmas close down period
• Flexible working options including flexi scheme and home-working
• Occupational sick pay
• Free car parking
• Discounts, including 50% off NHC gym membership
• Local Government Pension Scheme

We focus on learning, growing and professional development and offer opportunities to train and undertake vocational study as well as reimbursing professional subscriptions.

About us

North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City. The Council has a clear vision: Working with you for a fairer, greener North Herts.

How to apply

We have recently concluded a review of the senior management structure which has clarified and refocused this role and what we are asking the post holder to deliver. The vacancy has been created by the retirement of a long serving Director and whilst we are of course sad to see them go, we are looking forward to the opportunity to bring new energy and fresh ideas to our Leadership Team. If you think that could be you, please do apply and we look forward to seeing your application. If you would like to discuss the roles prior to applying please reach out, we are always happy to talk to potential candidates.

To apply for this position, you must complete our online application form at under the Jobs and Careers page using our secure web recruitment tool. Please note that we do not accept CV applications, either on their own or accompanying application forms. Therefore, please ensure that all relevant information is provided on the application form.

The selection process will include online assessments prior to a face-to-face panel interview and presentation. The appointment is subject to a final interview by the Council’s Employment Committee, likely w/c 2 June.

The successful applicant for the above post will be background checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Recruitment timetable

Closing Date: 12 Noon, Tuesday 29 April

Online assessments: Tuesday 6 May and Wednesday 7 May

Interviews: Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 May

Employment Committee: Week commencing 2 June

Interviews will take place at the Council offices in Letchworth.

Dates are subject to change. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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