At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Council's Heritage & Place services, focusing on urban design and community needs.
- Company: Join a vibrant unitary council dedicated to creating high-quality places in North Northamptonshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local heritage and urban design while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in urban design and experience in environmental specialisms required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
To provide leadership for the Council's Heritage & Place services, overseeing the operational delivery of specialist functions including conservation, archaeology, urban design, and landscape. You should be proficient in particular on matters of Urban Design. Working in partnership with the Head of Policy & Placemaking, the role supports the development and delivery of strategies that transform the Heritage & Place services, ensuring they are high‑performing, cost‑effective, and responsive to local needs, and contribute to the creation of high‑quality places across North Northamptonshire. The role will be key in shaping and delivering plans, strategies and projects that transform and strengthen service delivery. You will also oversee the support given in providing expert environmental advice in determining planning applications. Through strong partnership working across the Council and with external stakeholders, you will ensure the delivery of a high‑performing, cost‑effective, and resilient service that meets local needs and helps create high‑quality places across North Northamptonshire.
You will also ensure the team supports the processing of planning applications through the provision of expert environmental advice.
Responsibilities- Lead the day‑to‑day delivery of the Council's Heritage & Place Service, ensuring compliance, performance, and value for money.
- Provide professional input into policy development and advice on planning applications, including Minerals & Waste Planning.
- Provide direct advice and oversight on matters of urban design.
- Support the transformation and continuous improvement of Heritage & Place services, including digitalisation and efficient service delivery.
- Provide expert technical advice and represent the Council at committees, public inquiries, examinations, and external meetings.
- Lead and support special projects and collaborative working across the Council and with external partners.
- Deputise for the Head of Policy & Placemaking as required and contribute to strong governance, customer service, and accountability.
- Customer‑focused
- Respectful
- Efficient
- Supportive
- Trustworthy
- A relevant degree or equivalent qualification in urban design to allow access to membership of a recognised professional organisation.
- Membership of the professional organisation in which they are trained, or demonstration of eligibility for full membership.
- Extensive knowledge of the environmental specialism in which they are trained, i.e. urban design.
- Knowledge of the English planning system, including legislation, the National Planning Policy Framework and best practice advice.
- Demonstration of a track record of projects in an environmental specialism; or supporting and overseeing the work of others to deliver on a range of planning proposals within local authority.
- Knowledge and understanding of key operational issues affecting environmental specialisms both nationally and locally.
- Significant experience of engaging with developers, stakeholders, Councillors and members of the public on environmental specialisms and planning matters.
We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, and support a range of active Employee Network Groups. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!
Why choose us?We offer a vibrant working environment with:
- A competitive salary
- A pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill‑health protection.
- Lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
- Generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work‑life balance.
Lead Officer - Heritage and Place in Kettering employer: North Northamptonshire Council
As a Lead Officer in Heritage and Place at North Northamptonshire Council, you will thrive in a supportive and customer-focused environment that values your expertise in urban design. With a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and opportunities for professional development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping high-quality places while enjoying a healthy work-life balance through flexible working arrangements. Join us to make a meaningful impact in your community and advance your career in a vibrant and dynamic council.
Contact Details:
North Northamptonshire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Officer - Heritage and Place in Kettering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend local events or workshops related to heritage and urban design. It's a great way to meet people in the field and get your name out there. Plus, you never know who might have a lead on a job opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your projects in urban design and environmental planning. This will not only demonstrate your skills but also give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to the hiring manager or team members on LinkedIn. A friendly message expressing your interest can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep an eye on our website for openings! We regularly post jobs that might be perfect for you. Applying directly through our site can sometimes give you an edge, as we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Officer - Heritage and Place in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in urban design and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can help us transform Heritage & Place services!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role is all about providing leadership, don’t forget to mention any past experiences where you’ve led teams or projects. We love seeing how you can inspire and guide others!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and qualifications stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at North Northamptonshire Council
✨Know Your Urban Design Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your urban design knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but also have practical experience.
✨Understand Local Needs
Familiarise yourself with the local area of North Northamptonshire and its unique heritage and place challenges. Being able to speak about how your strategies can address these local needs will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the community.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and drive performance, as this role requires strong leadership to transform services effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to building partnerships and how you would work with Councillors, developers, and the public to ensure high-quality service delivery.
