What are we looking for?

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. In the last five years, we have grown economically, with the creation of many new jobs and businesses, and we are ahead of the game in the provision of digital infrastructure. We are determined that all of our residents and communities should share in the benefits of our city’s continuing economic expansion.

We are committed to delivering our ambitious programme for transforming and improving the aspirations and opportunities for the residents of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. And that’s where you come in. As the Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport, you will need to direct the development, alignment and implementation to lead the City Council’s input into major physical regeneration and place making programmes.

We already have an excellent senior leadership team, with senior members and officers working tirelessly on behalf of our residents. We need a strong leader who is not afraid of a serious challenge and who has the drive, innovation, creativity and passion to see it through. We need someone who can support the transformation and the delivery of improvements of our offer as a city. We need someone who can motivate our team, giving them clarity of direction and purpose, and the tools to do their job.

As a team player you will join our experienced and supportive senior leadership team, where close working with elected members and colleagues is essential. We are looking for a One Team approach in the design and delivery of services that are well governed, efficient and fit for purpose, whilst fulfilling the requirements to support and implement the Council’s budget strategy.

This critical role will work across all our directorates, our partners and communities and report into the Director of Housing, Development & Growth (HDG). The role will be accountable for the division which delivers high-quality developments and investments to deliver a financial and social return which contributes to the council’s ambitions to be a commercial council.

We need someone who can act as a planning, regeneration, sustainability and transportation ambassador for the city and for the Council, forming strategic alliances and developing effective working relationships on a local, regional and national basis.

With a proud heritage and bright future, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is committed to protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence.  We have a compelling vision for our future as a green and economically vibrant place where people are equipped and able to take on the many opportunities we are creating. 

As our new Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport, you will take a strategic view to secure investment and development to deliver growth and prosperity across our city centre, towns and communities, preserve and maximise a return on our investment in physical projects and create new jobs for the city which support the delivery of our vision and aims.

Are you up for the challenge?

 

Directorate: Housing, Development & Growth

Location: Stoke-on-Trent

Salary: DH4, £105,063- £110,154

Reference: JD for Assistant Director of Planning, Regeration and Transport

Structure Chart - Planning Regen & Transport

Structure Chart - Senior Management

Deadline: Monday, 02 October 2023

About you

To be successful in this role we are looking for the following key attributes:

Adhering to Principles and values; Demonstrates integrity, promotes and defends equal opportunities and has a personal and professional commitment to trust, builds diverse teams whilst encouraging individual responsibility.

Decision making; Strength in judgement and personal responsibility for actions, projects and people. Ability to work under own direction to generate activities and introduce changes into work processes whilst evaluating risks.                   

Visionary and transformational leader; A strong leader with energy, flair, resilience and credibility whom provides others with a clear direction, inspiration and motivation and who understands the relationships and culture of organisations that impact on the wider determinants of council services.

Relating and Networking; Aptitude to establish relationships at all levels with diverse stakeholders including elected members, residents, staff and partners.

Persuading and Influencing; Proficiency to gain clear agreement and commitment from others through negotiation and effective use of political processes.   

Analysing and Interpreting; Writes compellingly, succinctly and fittingly to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.         

Formulating Strategies and Concepts; Strategic awareness to realise organisational goals and compelling visions of future potential.

Adapting and Responding to change; Resilience and reconfiguration to adapt to changing circumstances and ambiguity whilst remaining focussed and enthused. 

Achieving personal work goals and objectives; Tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm, diligence and commitment.

Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking; Demonstrates commercial and business acumen through competitor insight, market trends and service user needs.

You will have:

• An appropriate professional qualification within the remit of the professions covered with evidence of continuous professional development.
• A thorough understanding of the statutory and regulatory framework within the service area and regulatory functions relating to public standards and provision in the public sector
• Proficiency in leading a significant programme of change which had major impact on staff and processes.
• Competence in delivering best value through innovative, integrated, client and community focused service provision whilst promoting equal opportunities.
• Proficient in effective budget management at a high level and accountability for strict monitoring of resources.
• Expertise of commercial and business acumen, exploiting new opportunities to achieve output related change.
• Experience in developing effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders and operating and negotiating with outside agencies.
• A strong ability to negotiate complex contracts, with multiple stakeholder buy in.

       

Indicative Timetable

Closing date for applications: Monday, 02 October 2023

Preliminary/Technical Interviews: Friday, 06 October - Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Final Stakeholder and Panel Interviews: Wednesday, 01 November (virtual) and Friday, 03 November 2023 (in person)

Contact

Our executive search partners, GatenbySanderson 

• Philip Emms: Tel: 07590 225 472 or email philip.emms@gatenbysanderson.com or
• Alex Hayes: Tel: 07586 715843 or email alex.hayes@gatenbysanderson.com

Applications

Please click here to apply for this position.