Team Manager - Development Management

Job Title: Team Manager - Development Management (Planning) Location: Devon Contract Type: Temporary Duration: 13 April 2026 - 9 October 2026 Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00) Working Pattern: Hybrid - minimum 2 days per week in the office Pay Rate: £65.00 per hour PAYE    The Role We are seeking an experienced Team Manager - Development Management (Planning) to lead a high-performing planning team within a local authority setting. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving performance, managing complex planning applications, and supporting strategic decision-making. You will lead a team of planning professionals, oversee major development projects, and act as a senior expert within Development Management. The role also includes deputising for senior leadership where required.   Key Responsibilities Lead, manage, and motivate a team of planning officers, ensuring effective workload allocation and performance delivery Act as case officer for major and high-profile planning applications Provide expert advice on complex planning matters including design, environmental issues, and development viability Ensure all decisions and recommendations comply with planning legislation and policy Contribute to strategic planning decisions and service improvements Represent the service at Planning Committees, public meetings, and appeals Work collaboratively with stakeholders including elected members, developers, and the public Support the preparation of Planning Committee agendas and reports These responsibilities align with the core purpose of managing Development Management teams and delivering high-quality planning outcomes . About You To be successful in this role, you will have: Essential: Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Significant experience in Development Management within a Local Authority Proven experience managing teams and delivering performance outcomes Strong knowledge of planning legislation and policy Excellent communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills Desirable: Management qualification (NVQ Level 4 or equivalent) Experience working on large-scale, complex planning projects Broader experience across planning disciplines As highlighted in the person specification, strong leadership, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage complex workloads are critical to success in this role