Developer Contributions Team Leader (S106)

Developer Contributions Team Leader (S106)
PO7 - £55,620 - £58,692 per annum

About Us

The Planning & Development service is shaping the places our residents and businesses use every day.  We do this by working with and holding developers or land owners to the high standards in our bold Local Plan and the London Plan.

The newly established Development Delivery team is building on the aspirations of our residents and members.  We want to ensure our residents can benefit from genuinely affordable homes, have access to beautiful and truly accessible public spaces, can secure the new jobs being created in a range of industries, and have access to the social infrastructure for everyone to thrive. Our strategic sites will create new communities that must truly connect with their neighbours. 

The Development Delivery team want to forge more productive relationships with stakeholders to help with the delivery of development alongside adequate infrastructure.  Our borough is growing and so is our team.

 About the Job

This is a leadership role in our newly established Development Delivery team – leading on planning obligations with a team of six officers reporting to you. 

The scale of the growth planned in the borough is matched by the ambition of the council.  Our team need to ensure that where development is happening that the land owner is making their reasonable contribution to infrastructure and council services.

This role will have autonomy to establish service improvements and enhance internal controls but be supported by a committed senior manager to help you achieve this.  Collaboration with the team to deliver changes and consistently implement high quality outcomes is crucial.

The team is responsible for the financial and non-financial matters associated with compliance with deeds of planning obligation.  This involves casework for assessing and making judgement of submissions on a range of planning related themes from sustainable and active transport, socio-economic development, public transport, financial viability, affordable housing and other matters. 

In relation to financial matters the team collect, allocate and reconcile income; the team also assess and act as gatekeepers of the governance process to release monies for expenditure.  Quarterly reporting to TfL and the council’s capital and assets oversight board is required and annual statutory reporting is supported by a report to members of the strategic development committee. 

The team must negotiate outcomes with a range of stakeholders to support the delivery of intended planning outcomes including but not limited to developers/land owners and their representatives; internal service areas; infrastructure providers and members. 

This leadership role will shape the work programme for the planning obligations team and ensure key milestones are met.

 About You 

You are a passionate and informed advocate for the council in relation to this area of expertise as an MRTPI or MRICS planner or working towards membership of these institutions. Or you may have a project management qualification and skills that you have honed in your previous work experience.

You are a leader or showing your leadership qualities in your current role and are keen to collaborate with a team of colleagues to shape their professional development and facilitate their learning.  You will be keen to learn and develop too.

You will be confident in your own abilities but not afraid to be honest if something does not go to plan. You will foster an atmosphere of shared accountability with your team, the wider service and other stakeholders.

You will be confident in preparing and presenting reports to a range of audiences to inform, influence or engage on planning obligations, planning policy and site specific considerations. 

You will be financially astute and have a keen eye for detail to safeguard income and expenditure of public funding in line with the internal controls you will update and enforce. 

You have a deep and through understanding of statue, case law and appeal decisions that you can apply to your advice to the team, when making delegated decisions and to shape our ways of working.

You will have experience of or feel comfortable in being the face for your team but also allowing chances for your team to shine too – in conversations with residents, members, senior leaders, developers, land owners, and infrastructure providers.

As a non-negotiable you will be committed to the achievement of equality, diversity and inclusion in both employment and service delivery.

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/7573/developer-contributions-team-leader-s106-jd

Closing date: 22/01/2025

Interview dates: 5th February 2025 comprising a test/assessment and an interview with a panel.

To complete a successful application please carefully review the person specification and ensure you offer examples of your work experience.

Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Help Desk on: 0203 373 0909.

Should you wish to have a confidential conversation about this job you may contact the Hiring Manager Jennifer Bishop Assistant Director Development Delivery on 02033731168 or Jennifer.Bishop@newham.gov.uk. 

Additional Information

The council are committed to enabling development opportunities for our colleagues.  During the course of your employment, subject to your meeting the relevant course entry requirements and based on the exigencies of the service, the Development Delivery team would support applications towards the following types of apprenticeships for this role - the level 7 leadership standard.

If you are already enrolled on an apprenticeship levy funded qualification route please contact us to confirm how this might be transferred to Newham

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x3 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

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