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Service Director Planning, Transportation and Highways

Employer
Wakefield Council
Location
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Salary
£88,768
Closing date
30 Jan 2020

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CLOSING TODAY SO FINAL CHANCE TO APPLY!

Wakefield is one of five metropolitan Districts in West Yorkshire, located on the edge of the West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire conurbations. We are made up of over 40 towns and villages, covering an area of 336 sq. km. Over 70% of our district is open countryside, surrounding the main centres of population in Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Hemsworth and Knottingley.

Our district has a proud tradition and heritage, going back to our medieval nickname as ‘The Merrie Citie’ across our city, towns and villages. Sport and culture are strong and growing parts of our district and communities. We are home to the internationally recognised Hepworth Gallery and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Since 2000, our district has benefitted from a period of sustained economic growth, attracting over £700m of inward investment in the city centre alone, demonstrably ‘punching above our weight’ both as a city and a brand. We are a district open to business and open for business, attracting both investors and visitors. We are ambitious for our people and our places, with a vision to take our district forward by creating job opportunities and increasing skill levels, meeting our housing needs, reducing health inequalities and to continuing to make the district safer and creating a better quality environment.

We are home to 340, 790 people, around 7% of who have an ethnic minority background.  Community pride and community links are strong and we want Wakefield to continue to be a place where all communities and families can maximise their opportunities, enjoy their lives achieve their potential.

Our vision is that Wakefield District is a place where people thrive, businesses succeed and visitors are welcome.

……..Underpinned by Our Values:

• Caring 

• Ambitious

• Integrity

• Respect 

The Service

Planning, Transportation & Highways is a collection of Statutory and non-statutory Services that work together to ensure that the Wakefield built environment and Transportation Network meets the needs of our Citizens and Business both now and into the future. Made up of Development Planning and Building Control, Transportation policy and Traffic Management as well as Highways Network Management and Fleet Maintenance and Management with a combined headcount of around 250 employees.

Overall Purpose of the Post

To lead on behalf of the Council on all planning, transportation and highways matters, dealing with press and complaints, and representing the Council positively at conferences, seminars and other events.

To deliver sustainable, integrated planning and transportation services across the Wakefield district that are valued by citizens, partners, senior managers, staff and Elected Members.

As well as delivering projects that are within current funding bids the role will play an active part in bidding for new funds as well as taking part in bidding for funds that are made available as part of devolution to deliver key initiatives and outcomes for the Council.

To provide strategic guidance and research on policy development and the interpretation of national/regional policy implications on local service delivery.

To promote open and effective communications with the Council’s key partners and stakeholders establishing strong externally focussed relationships with partner organisations.

To provide professional expert advice and support to the Corporate Management Team playing a key role in driving change through the programmes and policies determined by both Cabinet and Council.

Key Responsibilities

Work with colleagues across the Council to implement and manage the Council’s strategies in order to develop and implement effective integrated planning, traffic and transportation policies. To monitor, evaluate and review these initiatives.

Develop intelligence, capability and capacity across the Planning, Transportation and Highways Service that will drive service improvement and informed policy making within a context of alternative delivery/commissioning vehicles.

Deliver a sound, up to date and innovative Local Development Framework for future development in the District and ensure a strategy compliments and aligns with regional and sub-regional strategies.

Fulfil the statutory role of the Council’s ‘Traffic Manager’ and ensure that the highways throughout the District are properly maintained across all seasons contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of the District.

Oversee the management and commissioning of projects for land drainage improvements, land reclamation, construction of bridges and other structures.

Ensure the continued development and maintenance of the network of rural footpaths across the District and with colleagues in Sport and Active Lifestyles promoting health and wellbeing activities like walking and cycling.

Ensure that effective and appropriate consultation and engagement with citizens, customers, staff and other key stakeholders is able to influence the development of policies which affect them, in the way that services are planned, developed and delivered within areas of professional accountability.

Maintain awareness of changing legislation and national/regional policy developments highlighting these within the Council in a timely and appropriate manner implementing relevant changes as necessary.

Take opportunities to explore and deliver effective partnership working where benefits to improved service delivery can be identified.

Contribute to support the Council in delivering the Community Strategy, Corporate Performance Plan and key strategic objectives.

The Person

Skills

  • Create a vision and direction that challenges and looks beyond the obvious. Inspiring and motivating others in order to achieve successful outcomes across the Planning, Transportation & Highways Services.
  • Driving change and leading by example.
  • Develop strategies and solutions to enable the Council’s long term visions.
  • Highest level of interpersonal skills and communication skills to establish positive relationships and engage with a wide range of stakeholders
  • The ability to influence and negotiate to establish credibility an enhance relationships for positive outcomes.

Knowledge

  • Excellent knowledge of funding streams relating to local government and the public sector in the context of sustainable planning, traffic and transportation policies and the effective maintenance of the highways network.
  • Detailed understanding of the trends in national policy around planning, traffic and transportation issues and the impact at sub regional, regional and local level.
  • Thorough knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework in Planning.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the policies and practices of Planning, Transportation and Highways Services. Thorough understanding of corporate and partnership working to deliver positive outcomes.
  • Excellent understanding of good governance principles.
  • Commitment to own personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role.

Experience

  • An expert in your field, a fully qualified  MRTPI Town Planner
  • Proven track record of successful leadership in a relevant field
  • A collaborator who can work with others to support, develop, promote and maintain constructive cross agency, multi-agency working to ensure the Council delivers its overall aims and objectives.
  • Significant experience of successful management of teams comprising of diverse professionals to achieve high performance targets and corporate objectives in complex environments.

Please also see the role profile 

Or, for more information or an informal chat about the role please call Anthony Lewis on 07747318128.

To register your interest in this role and for any further information please contact wakefield@tile-hill.co.uk or visit http://www.ourwakefield.co.uk/

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