Area Manager – Development Management
6-month interim contract
South West Local Authority
£80 p/hour (Inside IR35 via umbrella)
On-site requirement: Hybrid working – minimum 2 days per week
Baltimore Consulting are working with a Local Authority based in the South West who are looking to appoint an Area Manager to lead Development Management teams, oversee two Area Planning Committees, and provide leadership on major planning applications, committee decisions, and stakeholder engagement.
Your Role as the Area Manager:
- Lead and manage two Development Management area teams.
- Act as the professional lead officer for two Area Planning Committees, ensuring effective governance and decision-making.
- Oversee the end-to-end planning process, from pre-application through to determination, implementation, and compliance.
- Deputise for the Service Manager and Head of Planning, engaging with senior officers, elected members, and external stakeholders.
- Provide clear professional advice to committees, ensuring all reports are accurate, balanced, and compliant with legislation.
- Represent the council at public inquiries, hearings, and in court, providing expert evidence as required.
- Mentor and line-manage Principal Planning Officers and support team performance and wellbeing.
- Ensure performance exceeds government and local targets, maximising income through application fees and charges.
- Support transformational change across the planning service and lead on key corporate objectives (climate change, ecological emergency, affordable housing, placemaking).
Your previous experience as an Area Manager:
- Significant experience managing Development Management services within a Local Authority.
- Proven track record of leading large planning teams and delivering service transformation.
- Strong understanding of planning legislation, environmental regulations, and corporate accountabilities.
- Experienced in providing advice on complex and controversial applications to Planning Committees.
- Proven experience of public inquiries, development plan examinations, and customer complaint handling
- Degree in Planning, Geography, or related subject and Chartered Member of the RTPI (MRTPI) or eligible to join.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- Able to balance technical detail with strategic oversight, ensuring planning services are delivered to the highest standard.
If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be a good fit, please contact Lucy Connick on 0117 3137110 or apply today.
(We offer a referral scheme for successfully placed recommendations – feel free to get in touch!)
Our clients are committed to building an inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be fully supported during the recruitment and onboarding process.
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