Leeds City Council
Principal Design Officer
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Principal Project Planner (Urban Design)
Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282 (pay award pending)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB. Hybrid working available.
Leeds is the UK’s fastest growing city and is the main economic driver of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with a £70 billion economy and a combined population of 3 million.
This brings exciting opportunities through new development and investment, to re-shape places, throughout the district and particularly focussing on:
- Transformational Regeneration programme agreed with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, featuring six neighbourhood growth areas across the City Centre where over 20,000 new homes will be built, a new national poetry centre and British Library development at Temple Works a Grade I listed building
- A new Mass Rapid Transit system, being delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and local authorities, which will travel through the Innovation Zone.
- A New Town in the South Bank area providing significant housing delivery alongside commercial development and provision of new park space.
The City Council is also preparing an extensive update to its Local Plan with planning policies that will frame and help implement sustainable development. A key part of this work is the development of a Design Code for Leeds. Work on this is currently at the early stage so the post holder will have the opportunity to create and shape a code, or codes, fit for purpose in a modern, thriving city and environs.
About The Role
We are looking to appoint a dynamic and experienced Principal Design Officer to provide high quality expert advice and direction on place making and design matters and with experience of working with design codes and guidance.
This position will sit within the Environment and Design Group which provides specialist advice and stewardship for urban design, architecture, building design, biodiversity and landscape, heritage and conservation, contaminated land and trees. The post will work very closely with the Design team, and alongside policy planners and Development Management officers in order to deliver the Design Code. Other project work involving infrastructure schemes, council housing schemes and area regeneration work, and policy work including site allocation will require flexible skills and an ability to work with a wide range of both internal and external stakeholders.
You will be expected to provide project management and leadership within the role, driving forward your work to meet critical work programme paths. Part of the work may also include providing design advice to Development Management Officers at all stages of the planning process and may involve appeal work and panel appearances so knowledge and understanding of the planning process will be valuable.
You will also work closely with other Council colleagues e.g. legal, transport, city centre management, environmental health, and wider planning colleagues. There will be opportunities to input into other project work that the Design Team undertake including Mass Transit and New Town related projects.
About You
You will be able to demonstrate your personal and project management qualities through the delivery of complex projects, both as a design specialist and as a driven individual.
You will have experience of working on design coding and the delivery of strategies or guidance relating to design issues. You will be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of how planning relates to design and placemaking and be able to demonstrate innovation and creativity in tackling issues through place-making and planning solutions. You will be able to use and utilise a wide range of digital tools to deliver projects and will need to demonstrate the ability to provide expert advice and guidance both informally and in formal settings to a wide range of stakeholders including elected members.
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You will need to demonstrate good personal management skills, motivation and the ability to adapt to a changing work environment.
Above all, you will be an ambassador for design for the City of Leeds and will have the vision to see how the complex needs of the city can best be realised through development which places these issues at the heart of master planning and decision taking.
You will be technically qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (e.g. architecture urban design, or related) and be eligible for membership of a relevant professional body.
What We Offer You
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- Continuing professional development opportunities
- A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How To Apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact John Stonard on john.stonard@leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
Working within the design and projects team you will champion high quality, sustainable design and place-making within the built and natural environments, working alongside planning officers, developers, other council functions to deliver Council policies for the benefit of all communities of Leeds.
At PO4 Grade
Specific Responsibilities for the Post:
- To lead on managing specific cases, projects, programme management or technical work which could include consultations on developments, major and/or complex policy, local planning and implementation issues to ensure delivery of services to customers, to meet the Council’s objectives and to comply with Government Standards.
- To undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Strategic Planning Group and Best Council Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
- Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
- Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting the Service Management Team.
- To support line management responsibilities through deputising for the Team Leader and in playing a key role in the development of staff in the workplace, including training and mentoring or take lead responsibility for the delivery and development of specific major projects and programmes.
- Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing digital planning objectives.
- To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways that support open, responsive and accountable government.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
- Undertake work in connection with major projects and initiatives including, pre-application advice, application negotiations, Section 106 agreements and/or planning appeals and Development Inquiries (including being the Council’s expert witness at major public inquiries).
- To work alongside stakeholders to deliver major and complex Council projects including regeneration schemes, infrastructure delivery and affordable homes.
- To co-ordinate, project manage and monitor, the implementation of schemes in relation to planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To liase with partners and stakeholders in the evaluation and monitoring of specific capital and revenue schemes consistent with negotiated planning agreements, obligations, undertakings and related community benefits.
- To work closely with Development Management in monitoring and implementing planning agreements, obligations and undertakings as part of an integrated Departmental system.
- Represent the Council at public meetings, Panel, Boards, events and in other public and/or political forums.
- To lead and manage specific service improvement and customer service projects.
- Undertake liaison at local community forums, informing and involving Ward Members, local communities and other stakeholders in Development Plan preparation and project implementation.
- All other duties considered commensurate with the post.
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Qualifications
A relevant qualification e.g. a degree in Architecture, Urban Design etc. is essential.
Suitable candidates are expected to be eligible for membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g. RIBA…).
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required:
- Ability to self-manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
- Ability to deliver projects and initiatives in a service or operational area relevant to the area of service delivery in the remit of the post.
- Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put these into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
- Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
Knowledge Required:
- Understanding of current UK and
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