Director - Planning and Place

Job summary

This is a senior leadership role within Greater Cambridge Development Corporation (GCDC), reporting to the Deputy CEO.

The post holder will work with economic, housing and other technical experts, local government, business, community and other stakeholders, to:

1. provide strategic leadership of the Planning & Place Directorate, including setting the direction of the Directorate’s activities and management of its budget
2. lead the setup of GCDC as a local planning authority (subject to the Parliamentary approval of the GCDC Planning Functions Order)
3. lead the next phase of work on the Corporation’s Framework for Good Growth, including engagement with stakeholders and local communities.
4. provide direction and strategic leadership to support unlocking and accelerating development on GCDC’s priority sites that will contribute to the overall growth ambition as set out in Framework for Good Growth.
5. lead work on developing and delivering a Quality placemaking framework for GCDC.

The post holder will lead an existing team of c11 FTE and will oversee the further expansion of the team over the next 12-18 months. They will also be accountable for the delivery of a c£2m budget.

This role is being recruited by Homes England to support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The successful candidate will initially be employed by Homes England and will work predominantly on matters relating to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and its activities.

Job description

We are looking for someone with a proven track record in strategic planning and delivery or large-scale housing and economic growth to join our team. You should understand and be passionate about the planning and delivery of quality homes, placemaking and regeneration and want to work in an inclusive, supportive and driven team.

You will be motivated by the transformative impact of placemaking and understand the ability of a development led response to tackle social deprivation and economic underperformance.

Person specification

The successful candidate will use their skills and experience in leadership, strategic planning and delivery of large scale economic and housing growth, complex infrastructure schemes and sustainability and placemaking to support the Cambridge ambition. An excellent understanding and practical experience of all aspects and stages of the planning system including both plan making and development management and working knowledge of CPO will also be valued.

The role also requires a deep understanding of sustainable place-making and relevant Government policies and priorities and will have experience of translating policy into operational delivery.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience of developing well-organised, effective teams and setting clear objectives aligned with the wider strategic ambitions for the wider team.

Benefits

Homes England is an executive non-departmental public body with its own terms and conditions, benefits and pension scheme. We are a government agency working in partnership with the private sector and want to employ and retain great people. In return we offer a range of excellent benefits, some of the key benefits include:

Holiday - Homes England offers all staff 33 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 statutory bank holidays.

Working Flexibly - At Homes England we have a strong culture of flexible working and encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We offer a wide range of potential working patterns, including part time, job share and compressed hours.

Health and Wellbeing - We offer health screening with Nuffield Proactive Health Clinics, a free Employee Assistance Programme which offers confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as access to Occupational Health.

Professional Development - At Homes England we are committed to your continued professional and personal development with learning as one of our core values. We pay for one job-related professional membership subscription per year for our employees.

We also offer an excellent range of family friendly benefits, for example, maternity, paternity, shared parental leave.

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

How to apply?

To apply please follow the links to our careers page.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

For more information on the role, please see the attached Job Description.

Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application and interviews held as soon as practical after the closing date. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in this role and Homes England.

Please note – Homes England has a responsibility to ensure compliance with HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard to address the potential problems of identity fraud, illegal working and deception generally. To ensure compliance we will carry out a pre-employment Personal Identity and Vetting Report through Experian to meet the standard and you will therefore be asked to provide certain information in order that the verification check can be carried out if you are successful in your application.

Homes England are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. Our aim is to be an employer of choice, enabling everyone to reach their full potential.

Homes England is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal data. For further information please refer to our Privacy Notice which can be viewed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about/personal-information-charter

Nationality requirements

Open to UK,