Developer Contributions Officer

Be First (Regeneration) Ltd
Developer Contributions Officer
Indicative Salary £36,000– £41,000
Reports to Principal Developer Contributions Officer
Hours (per week) 35 Hours
Location MAKE IT, Barking

• Key Contacts -Development management team leader, Head of Statutory Planning and Building Control, Head of transport, infrastructure, and policy planning, development management, building control and policy team -
• Key partners including officers and elected officials from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, delivery partners across sectors, Government bodies
  • Staff at all levels of the organisation
  • Be First and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s Communications Teams
  • Members of the Be First Board as required
  • Residents, customers, and supply chain partners

PURPOSE

To support the effective administration, monitoring, collection, distribution and enforcement of S106 planning obligations, ensuring a high-quality, transparent and customer-focused service is delivered within agreed timescales. The successful candidate will proactively manage key monitoring functions, maintain accurate records, and assist in the review of technical submissions in collaboration with internal specialists and external consultants, ensuring compliance with planning policies and regulations. The role will primarily focus on S106 obligations but will also support the administration and collection of the CIL, where required.

JOB CONTEXT

Be First's Monitoring Team is responsible for the administration of S106, CIL and BSL matters, working collaboratively with developers, Be First delivery teams and key stakeholders to ensure developer contributions are effectively monitored, collected and managed. The team plays an important role in supporting the delivery of infrastructure and wider growth objectives across the Borough.

The team is committed to continuous improvement and greater transparency in the management of developer contributions. This includes supporting digitisatio, automation, data transparency initiatives and the ongoing enhancement of S106/CIL monitoring systems and processes.

It is an exciting time to join the team. The successful candidate will be encouraged to think creatively and contribute to improving how developer contributions are negotiated, monitored, collected, reported and delivered, helping to support the objectives of Be First's Business Plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key tasks and accountabilities are meant to guide the range and level of work expected from the successful candidate:

• To support the work of the Developer Contributions Team. Activities include:
  • Ensuring we maintain up-to-date and accurate s106 records, and that the collection of monies and payments-in-kind is done promptly.
  • Monitoring development activity and identify commencement, occupation and other trigger points to ensure financial and non-financial planning obligations are secured and complied with in a timely manner.
  • Investigating potential breaches of planning obligations, gather evidence and support appropriate enforcement action where required.
  • Supporting collaboration with LBBD Finance Team to reconcile developer contribution accounts and monitor balances.
  • Providing advice and guidance to planning officers, project managers and external stakeholders regarding obligations.
  • Tracking monitoring KPIs in our Local Plan, Be First Business Plan and other stakeholder requirements (e.g. the GLA) including:
• To support the allocation, spending of contributions in accordance with legal agreements, as well as the monitoring the delivery of projects funded through S106 monies.
• To assist in the preparation, publication and review of the annual Infrastructure Funding Statement and other statutory reporting requirements.
• To support the response to complaints, solicitors’ requests, Member Enquiries, FOI request and other related information requested about the service
• To support the handling of related advice requests and correspondence Be First Regeneration Ltd Job Description 3 - To support the digitisation of S106 agreements and monitoring of key metrics, including:
  • Housing delivery monitoring e.g commencement and completion
  • Environmental and Sustainability Contributions (including Carbon Offset and Biodiversity Net Gain)
• To develop effective working relationships across Be First, LBBD, and other key stakeholders
• To maintain good knowledge of current planning legislation, especially regarding Community Infrastructure Levy arrangements and S106 Agreements.
• To foster a result-oriented, customer-focused work culture, emphasizing 'right first time' service delivery.
• To perform all duties with minimal supervision.
• To be responsible for continuous personal development by requesting and attending training when necessary.
• To demonstrate a strong commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities.
• To provide proactive, knowledgeable planning services to external and internal customers and stakeholders, meeting evolving delivery priorities, issues, and challenges to the agreed standards in the service offer.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

• Educated to degree level and preferably obtained or working towards a relevant recognised professional qualification in planning.
• Experience of working within planning, development management, planning policy, regeneration, developer contributions, infrastructure planning or a related local government environment.
• Experience of interpreting legal agreements and managing large volumes of detailed data.
• Proficiency in IT, with experience using Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other data management software packages like Tascomi and Exacom.
• Proven experience in communicating and writing in a calm, courteous, and confident professional manner.
• Strong understanding of equality and diversity, with experience embedding a fair and ethical approach within a team and the wider organization.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of planning legislation relating to S106, CIL and developer contributions.
• Strong numeracy skills with the ability to accurately calculate, monitor and analyse financial contributions and indexation mechanisms.
• Right attitude is paramount; must be willing to suggest and try new ideas and be open to learning from both successes and failures.
• Appetite for change, innovation and creative thinking
• Proactive thinking and the ability to “self-start,” while also being a team player.
• Scrupulous attention to detail, especially regarding technical aspects of operational processes and practices, the accuracy of records and reports, and efficient schedule and diary management.
• Professionalism in the presence of company directors, senior client representatives, and other team members.
• A corporate approach to managing responsibilities, seeing the bigger picture, and supporting fellow executives and board members in meeting objectives.
• Ability to work under pressure, organize and prioritize own work and that of others, ensuring project requirements and customer demands are met.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, recognizing and accommodating the differing requirements of various colleagues and stakeholders.