Job description.

A fantastic opportunity has arise for an experienced Planning Manager to join a rapidly expanding promoter based in Manchester.

We are looking for someone  ideally with previous Strategic Land experience who is looking to develop and progress their career (LOTS of career progression available). 

Overall Purpose

To manage all planning activities in relation to land promotion, from site identification, through to ensuring appropriate planning consents are obtained cost effectively. To work closely with the land team members to ensure deliverable and viable planning consents are secured.

Key Activities – Planning Appraisals, Planning Policy Promotion, Applications and Management of Future Development Opportunities

• Assist the land team members in securing new land opportunities for the Company by undertaking planning appraisals of potential development sites, identify risks, and make recommendations on the prospects of achieving planning permission and the likely timeframes
• Responsible for putting forward the planning strategy for sites and continually ensuring the strategy is the most effective approach
• Prepare and manage planning applications and planning appeals for residential and mixed-use developments of varying scale across England, on time and to budget
• Engage in negotiations with planning officers, local community groups and other stakeholders at both pre-application and post-application submission stages, including attendance at meetings where necessary
• Responsible for the appointment of external professionals and consultants in relation to site appraisal, planning promotion, applications and project management of certain opportunities
• Responsible for own projects from initial planning appraisal to the point of allocation in a local plan and/or planning consent      
• Ensure land is effectively promoted through the management of policy representations to emerging Local Plan consultations and attendance at Examinations where appropriate
• Monitor and advise on the way in which changes in planning policy, legislation and regulation are likely to shape the planning strategies and investment decisions made by the Company

Key Activities – the Planning Process

• Work closely with the land team to ensure land is promoted for development and planning consent is achieved as soon as reasonably practicable
• Deliver projects on time and to budget
• Understanding the importance of viability in the negotiation and delivery of development
• Excellent knowledge and clear understanding of the continually evolving planning system

Key Activities – Meetings/Reporting

• Preparation of Board Papers to update the Board and Management Team on planning appraisals for land acquisitions and planning progress updates of existing portfolio
• Advise on general planning matters and inform of relevant changes in National, Divisional and Local Policies and the likely impact of such changes
• Ensure planning schedules are maintained in an up to date position
• Attend land/planning meetings and keep the land team fully informed of issues and progress
• Attend landowner / land agent meetings with land team members in securing new land opportunities for the Company

Key Activities – Working Relationships

Effective working relationships are an essential part of working life. The focus in this role is both:-

Internal:              Colleagues within Group

External:              Local Authorities, public bodies, consultants, landowners, land agents and other developers

Key Competencies

• Self-motivated
• Good negotiation skills
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to research and analyse key baseline information
• Ability to manage varied workstreams in parallel
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight timescales
• Tenacity / perseverance
• Confident decision maker
• Hold a UK driving licence
• IT literate
• Chartered member of Royal Town Planning Institute

Key Experience

Experience with another Land Promoter, Developer, Housebuilder, Planning Consultancy or Local Planning Authority

These are illustrative duties and the post holder will be expected to become involved in a range of work to enable the team to respond effectively to the requirements of the Company.