Head of Development Management

Job description

Head of Development Management

Northumberland National Park Authority

Grade: £47181 - £51356 per annum pro rata

Part time: 3 days per week

Manages: Development Management Service (3 staff)

Flexi time

Local Government pension

Wellbeing award winner

Work life balance

Home working opportunities

About the Role

Northumberland National Park Authority is seeking an experienced and motivated planning professional to lead our Development Management Service. As Head of Development Management, you will be responsible for delivering the Authority’s statutory planning and enforcement functions as the local planning authority for one of England’s most special landscapes.

You will provide strong professional leadership, ensure excellent customer service and performance, and play a key role in delivering the Authority’s Vision, Priorities and Outcomes. Working collaboratively with partners, communities and stakeholders, you will help enable sustainable development that conserves and enhances the National Park.

About You

You will be an accomplished planning professional with substantial experience in development management within a local planning authority. You will bring strong leadership skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage sensitive and complex planning issues with confidence and diplomacy.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape planning outcomes in a nationally important protected landscape. You will work with passionate colleagues, engaged communities and dedicated Members, contributing to the long‑term conservation and sustainable development of Northumberland National Park

 

Job Description 

 

Job purpose 

• Lead on the delivery of the Development Management Service for the National Park Authority as local planning authority for the National Park, meeting all performance targets and within a framework of continuous improvement. 
• Contribute to the wider work of the Authority’s Planning Service and support the delivery of the Authority’s Vision, Priorities and Outcomes. 
• In line with “duty to co-operate”, lead on partnership working with Northumberland County Council and other local authorities whose emerging development plan policies and other strategic plans may have an impact upon the National Park. 

 

Key Result Areas 

 

Statutory Roles and other Development Management Responsibilities 

 

• Ensure the delivery of the Authority’s statutory roles and responsibilities in relation to Development Management and Enforcement. 
• Ensure that the Development Management Service provides an effective and professional service and is meeting performance indicator targets. 
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of reports in respect of planning and other development management applications to the National Park Authority and to sign off decisions in respect of delegated applications. 
• Review procedures in relation to the delivery of development management services as necessary to ensure compliance with planning legislation, case law, regulations and policies. 
• Provide leadership to Northumberland National Park Authority’s Development Management Committee and lead the provision of training to Committee Members. 
• Process appeals, and appear on behalf of the Authority at hearings, planning inquiries and in court as required. 
• Lead the delivery of effective monitoring of development and enforcement planning control. 
• Provide an efficient and effective pre application advice service and other general development management advice in a manner that is consistent with legislation, planning policies and established procedures. 
• Report performance statistics as required. 
• Assist in the preparation of the Northumberland National Park Authority Local Plan as appropriate. 
• Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work. 
• Deliver development management functions with a focus on empowering communities and local businesses to deliver the Authority’s role as an enabling Authority. 

 

 

Financial and Performance Management 

 

• Manage and produce timely management reports on budgets and performance targets within the Development Management Service. 
• Ensure an efficient and effective service is delivered within the context of best value and financial regulations.  
• Use performance measures to manage and plan on-going service delivery. Review the use of these performance measures and regularly evaluate their usefulness. 
• Regularly communicate the performance results of the service internally and externally 
• Lead on the achievement of income generation targets as they apply to the Development Management Service. 

 

 

Leadership and Line Management 

• Personally lead an effective, responsive, positive and proactive Development Management Service. 
• As line manager plan, supervise and co-ordinate the work of a team of specialist officers in the Development Management Service ensuring that all employees are fully aware of their respective roles, functions and responsibilities.  
• Lead by example and ensure that staff are fully supported and develop staff through effective work planning and through the Authority’s appraisal, and personal development procedures. 
• As a manager, lead by example in demonstrating the Authority’s agreed culture and values through your work. 
• Deliver a framework of continuous improvement within the Development Management Service and effectively liaise and seek feedback from users of the Development Management Service. 
• Establish and maintain effective management and communication systems and processes and provide effective advice to a range of internal and external customers, in particular to the Chair of the Development Management Committee and the Chief Executive.  
• To maintain a current working knowledge of legislation and best practice in relation to development management, and in particular the challenges of development management in national parks. 

 

 

Corporate and Partnership working 

• Actively contribute to contribute to the Authority’s leadership team as required. 
• Actively contribute and participate to the development of statutory and non statutory strategy and policy development within the Authority. 
• Actively promote and encourage the adoption of the Authority’s corporate policies and ways of working by all staff within the development management Service. 
• Act as an advocate within the Authority on matters of development management. 
• Provide advice to applicants/agents and other parties on request with respect to the progress of applications and other development management related matters.   
• Assist the public, local communities and staff, members, partners and customers in understanding the role and performance of, and on specific queries in relation to, the Development Management Service.  
• Liaise and represent the Authority with other departments, authorities, Parish Councils, statutory consultees, and other bodies as required. 
• Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work. 
• Actively promote, monitor and ensure compliance with the Health and Safety legislation in the work of the Authority and in any joint work with other organisations or individuals 

 

Other Duties 

 

• Any other duties consistent with the nature, level and grade of the post as may be required. 

 

 

Northumberland National Park Authority 

 

Person Specification 

 

Essential: 

 

Knowledge 

• Degree in Town and Country Planning or equivalent qualification 
• Corporate membership of an appropriate professional body - the Royal Town Planning Institute; the Town and Country Planning Association or be eligible for membership.  
• Knowledge of current legislation, policy and procedures in respect of Town and Country Planning 
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of all relevant policy and operational matters in relation to matters of Development Control.  
• Thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation and the ability to produce concise but accurate risk assessments relevant to development management services. 

 

Skills  

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills in particular listening and negotiation skills. 
• Ability to monitor and manage budgets 
• Good individual and team leadership and motivational skills and ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to deal with sensitive planning matters with applicants, agents, and other members of the public, and able to mentor colleagues who may deal with these issues less frequently. 

 

 

Experience  

• Experience in the operation of a development management service within a local planning authority. 
• Personal experience of processing of a varied caseload of development management and related applications. 
• Experience of working with the general public, planning agents, elected members and other public representatives. 
• Experience of working with agencies and organisations to achieve shared objectives. 
• Experience of managing financial resources.  

 

Personal Qualities 

• Ability to act with the political acumen and skills to develop productive working relationships with Authority Members, public representatives and senior officials in a way that commands respect, trust and confidence.  
• Personable and approachable and able to provide visible and supportive leadership. 
• Proactive, innovative, flexible and adaptable in approach with strong corporate orientation and a commitment to tacking issues in a corporate manner. 
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and manage human and financial resources to achieve desired outcomes. 
• Meet the physical requirements of the job which will include accessing development sites, climbing scaffolding and carrying and setting up display material 
• Ability to work a flexible working pattern which may include evenings, weekends and over-night stays away from home. 
• Ability to travel to sites and destinations in order to fulfil the requirements of the post. 
• Fully committed to the culture, values and ways of working underpinning Northumberland National Park Authority. 

 

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Hexham

Type of Contract

Casual / Part Time Jobs

Published at

18-12-2025

Profession type

Management

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English