Planning Advice Manager - 30408

Planning Advice Manager - 30408
1
National
All
Staff Grade 7
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability, Operational Delivery, Senior Leadership, Strategy
Full Time, Part Time, Compressed Hours
£66,301

03/03/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

Do you want to ensure that we deliver the best possible places for now and the future?

In Planning and Place we coordinate action and investment to protect nature and enhance community well-being, leading efforts in sustainable growth and planning policy. We influence the spatial planning framework to ensure that it supports protects the environment, is mindful of future environmental capacity, working with government, regulators, other arms length bodies, and non-government organisations.

We have fantastic new post available within Planning and Place as the Planning Advice Manager who will lead on the development and delivery of our planning advice – a role with critical influence and responsibility under the new government. You will also provide strategic leadership across a number of high-profile work areas. Please read the Additional Information Pack attached for more information.

This role will also play an active role on the Leadership Team for the E&B Planning and Place section of the Environment Agency.

We are also recruiting a Growth Strategy and Place Manager within Planning and Place. These posts are part of a wider Nature and Place Manager recruitment campaign. More information can be found in the Additional Information Pack.
You’ll join our Planning and Place Team within the Environment & Business Directorate.

We lead on sustainable places and integrated environmental and spatial planning; technical leadership to EA Operations; and workforce planning for Sustainable Places.

There are 3 teams that make up Planning and Place:

• Growth strategy and programmes
• Planning advice
• Planning service transformation and delivery

While geographically dispersed, we excel at remote collaboration
We’re looking for a motivated and innovative leader with:

-Proven experience in spatial planning and the ability to provide clear direction for our planning experts.
-Strong leadership and management skills to inspire and empower your team.
-Excellent communication and influencing abilities to engage stakeholders, from senior leaders in the EA to policymakers in government.
-A commitment to innovation, exploring new opportunities to drive environmental improvements and sustainable growth.
-Professional credibility, ideally as a member of a recognised institute (or working towards membership).
-A strong understanding of the political landscape and the EA’s role in supporting growth.

You’ll lead a team that:

-Promotes inclusion and builds a supportive and engaging workplace, fully engaged with the organisation's approach to health, safety and wellbeing.
-Builds strong relationships with Defra, MHCLG, and other partners, using evidence to shape planning policy and highlight the importance of environmental protections.

See Additional Information pack for more information.
You may have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact claire.porter@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Leads People
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their
personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.

How will you lead in an inclusive way to encourage everyone to perform at their best to deliver great results, whilst navigating the complex and evolving world in which we’re operating?
Influences and Persuades Others
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Please give an example of when you have had to use negotiation or persuasion skills with others, with conflicting priorities to get the right environmental outcome for your organisation.
Delivers Results Through Others
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Can you provide an example when you translated a piece of legislation or policy into a clear strategy with defined priorities and delivery plans?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

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. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.