Key information Salary: £63,112 per annum Grade: 10 Contract type: Permanent Reference: 047240 Interview date: January 2025 Application closing date: Wed, 04/12/2024 - 23:59 About the role Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planner to join its Development Management team in the Planning Directorate. Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) This is your opportunity to help shape Old Oak and Park Royal, London’s largest Opportunity Area and one of the most exciting and ambitious regeneration projects in the UK. OPDC is one of only two of the Mayor of London’s Development Corporations and spans three London boroughs, the Park Royal industrial estate and is home to the new High Speed 2 and Elizabeth line station, the only place where these two major new rail lines meet. OPDC is leading the planning and regeneration of this emerging new district with the potential to deliver many thousands of new homes and jobs over the coming years. What we’re looking for We have an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to join our Planning Enforcement and Compliance team as a Principal Planner Officer on a permanent contract, to help resource an expanding team and proactively address enforcement challenges within OPDC’s area. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance as a senior member of the team and will hold both a varied caseload of complex enforcement and appeal cases and provide leadership to the wider team. You would work with Development Management colleagues and hold a caseload of enforcement-related planning applications. You will be expected to work proactively on your own caseload, prepare enforcement reports and progress complex and multifaceted enforcement cases to conclusion, including taking formal action on behalf of OPDC where required. Part of working for a Mayoral Development Corporation means proactive liaison with colleagues in our Host Boroughs to gather and share information and jointly tackle shared priorities. You would also be required to engage with the public and local business owners, and support OPDC’s regeneration priorities, including the protection of industrial land. You will possess a relevant degree and be eligible for RTPI membership. Candidates should have extensive local authority planning enforcement experience, including a track record of resolving complex breaches of control, dealing effectively with stakeholders in the planning enforcement process and where necessary progressing cases though the appeal process. This would include representing OPDC at Hearings and Public Inquires and at prosecution stage. The role may require periodic evening site visits. You will also have an excellent understanding of the local, regional and national planning policy context and legislative framework. You believe strongly in working flexibly as part of a team to get the job done and are confident in your technical expertise and experience to proactively manage your own workload and deliver successful outcomes. Principal accountabilities Support the Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance and other Planning Officers on a pro-active regime to ensure compliance with Section 106 agreements and planning conditions. To lead on a range of enforcement cases, ensuring that they are dealt with in accordance with agreed performance targets ensuring that policy and legal advice is duly considered and submissions and notices are signed off at the appropriate level. Manage own caseload of enforcement cases and provide support for evidence for Examinations, Public Inquiries, informal hearings and appeals including those dealt with by written representations in relation to Planning Enforcement as delegated by the Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance. Actively engage with the local community and key stakeholders on a range of local enforcement and management issues and complaints, including attending residents meetings and responding to public enquiries and helping to address and close key issues through coordination with relevant parties. Support the Director of Communications, Engagement and Strategy and OPDC’s community engagement team to delivery the corporation’s key strategic priority, to support local communities affected by changes happening in their area, as outlined in the community engagement strategy. Draft briefings, reports and presentations for internal and external audiences on behalf of the Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance. Liaise with the host boroughs and High Speed 2 Ltd on planning enforcement, compliance, monitoring of environmental impacts and monitoring of fire safety in proposed and completed developments in the OPDC area including with the Building Control, Environmental Health and transport teams in the host boroughs, High Speed 2 Ltd and the London Fire Brigade as appropriate. Develop professional relationships with external stakeholders, including Park Royal businesses and applicants and participate as directed in negotiations and other communications as directed by the Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance. Work across professional boundaries and OPDC directorates to contribute to the development of non-planning strategy and the wider success of the Corporation. Build and maintain relationships with internal and external contacts, to represent the Planning function, and the wider Corporation’s objectives in a positive, professional and engaging way. Person specification Technical requirements/experience/qualifications Appropriate planning qualification and eligibility for membership of the RTPI together with a record of continuing professional development. Demonstrable experience of local authority planning enforcement Good understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority An understanding of the local, regional and national planning policy context and legislative framework Behavioural competencies Communicating and Influencing … is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally Building and Managing Relationships … is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Develops new professional relationships Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action Fosters an environment where others feel respected Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals Problem Solving … is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully Proposes options for solutions to presented problems Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving Planning and Organising … is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met Research and Analysis … is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future Organisational Awareness … is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the OPDC and shaping our approach accordingly. Level 1 indicators of effective performance: Understands the structure and statutory responsibilities of the OPDC Understands how own role and work contributes to team and organisational objectives Understands the role of the GLA, the Mayor and the Assembly in relation to Londoners Is sensitive to the culture and political context of the OPDC and uses it to work effectively Treats OPDC information as sensitive and confidential Responding to Pressure & Change … is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift. Level 2 indicators of effective performance: Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change The OPDC Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: OPDC/GLA competency framework. This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This role is based at One West Point, 7 Portal Way, North Acton, London, W3 6RT. OPDC staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working, coming into the office and site work. Application Process & Additional Information Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following: Up to date CV Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV – applicant name - 012345). Applications submitted without a Covering Letter will not be considered. At OPDC we are dedicated to empowering team members through ongoing learning opportunities and professional development initiatives. Our commitment to learning and development means that we will provide you with the resources and support to expand your skills and grow your career. London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme. On this recruitment campaign, as part of OPDC’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and covering letters that could cause discrimination. Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work. Application closing date: 4th December 2024 at 23:59 If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact James Hughes, Head of Planning Enforcement and Compliance, at james.hughesopdc.london.gov.uk to arrange a call. We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice. More support If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteamlondon.gov.uk. Apply here