Operations Manager

Job summary

As an Operations Manager, you'll play a key role in leading the delivery of high-profile casework while helping to shape and improve operational processes across the Planning Inspectorate. Working closely with colleagues, Inspectors and stakeholders, you'll ensure teams have the support, guidance and resources needed to deliver high-quality outcomes, while driving continuous improvement and promoting collaborative ways of working.

This is an excellent opportunity to combine operational leadership with people management, strategic thinking and organisational influence. You'll lead and develop teams, contribute to corporate priorities, support change initiatives, and help ensure the organisation is well positioned to meet current and future demands. Through building strong stakeholder relationships and championing innovation, you'll make a significant contribution to the successful delivery of the Planning Inspectorate's objectives.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Be part of the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession – the largest profession in the Civil Service, with over 290,000 members. ODP professionals are the public face of government, delivering essential services to millions of people every day. As a member of this profession, you’ll have access to a wide range of development opportunities, a supportive community, and a clear framework to grow your career.

To learn more about the Operational Delivery Profession, visitODP Civil Service Careers Page

Job description

You'll be responsible for leading, developing and motivating a team, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where colleagues can perform at their best. You'll manage performance, wellbeing and resource planning, build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and contribute to corporate projects and organisational change initiatives. You'll also support workforce planning by monitoring workloads and identifying current and future resource requirements.

You'll be accountable for the successful delivery of operational objectives, ensuring casework meets agreed quality, performance and customer service standards. You'll be responsible for maintaining effective governance, safeguarding organisational data, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and procedures. You'll also contribute to strategic decision making, support senior leaders with operational insight, and help drive continuous improvement across the Planning Inspectorate.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available

Office Attendance:

This role is contractually based in Bristol at Runway East, Temple Meads. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10 minute walk away.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of managing teams confidently and pro-actively, inspiring and motivating them to be engaged in their role/s
• Experience of delivering against exacting performance targets in an operational environment.
• Experience of managing and delivering change projects.
• Experience of promoting excellent customer service and proactively supporting the customers’ needs, making improvements as required.
• Experience of working with regulatory frameworks, procedures and of understanding and interpreting complex legislation to make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,689, Planning Inspectorate contributes £13,525 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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