Development Strategic Lead

• 3 days in the office per fortnight
• at the offices in Bexhill-on-Sea
• in the new Corporate Development Team

Development Strategic Lead

Rother District Council is setting up a new, exciting team to manage its highly ambitious £170m capital programme. It is looking to deliver £126m of capital investment over the next five years. The Corporate Development Team (CDT) will uniquely manage projects spanning council service areas. They will help forge a new way forward for the district to deliver projects against its Corporate Plan.

The Development Strategic Lead will manage this new team and strategically plan how the development programme moves forward to benefit all of Rother's residents. Reporting to the Deputy CEO and Senior Leadership Team, this role will require great people management and enthusiasm for the programme and projects.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape the newly established Corporate Development Team (CDT) with a £170 million Capital Programme of exciting projects. The post holder will ensure the delivery of numerous high-profile capital construction projects spanning multiple industry sectors.

The post holder will ensure that the Council’s Programme of Development and Construction projects are properly managed regarding scheduling, resourcing and risk. You will use your negotiation and influencing skills to manage expectations and deliver schemes on time, within budget and within quality tolerances. The role will be crucial in driving projects forward and ensuring delivery. The successful delivery and careful management of our Capital Programme is essential to the Council's financial stability and future success.   

If you are ready to take on an exciting new role, work across boundaries to tackle challenges and ensure the substantial capital programme is sustainable and deliverable, then this could be the opportunity for you.

The purpose of the job is:

• To manage and oversee the implementation of the Council’s Development Programme and have overall responsibility for the Development Programme and associated Projects.
• To work with internal and external partners to oversee the Council’s capital programme of development projects in line with strategic corporate aims.
• To be responsible to the Shadow Corporate Programme Board and Corporate Programme Board, reporting regularly on all aspects of the Programme and Projects, making recommendations and seeking decisions or other approvals as required.
• To prepare, obtain approval of and implement strategies and approaches concerning the delivery of the Development Programme.
• To ensure the Programme is properly managed and reported.
• To work with the Development Programme Finance Manager to ensure Financial monitoring and reporting of the Programme.
• To ensure the Programme is adequately resourced, forecasting recruitment needs and obtaining all necessary approvals.
• To manage and oversee all capital development activities, ensuring all necessary resources, direction, strategy and guidance to achieve projects within approved budgets and timeframes.
• To monitor and manage risk on all projects and to maintain appropriate records.
• To line-manage the Development Programme Management Team as set out on the Management Structure diagram following the Council’s policies.

Reporting:

• You will report to the Deputy CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• You will be responsible for the Development Programme Management Team.

To be considered for the role, you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience leading the management of successful construction programmes from inception to completion across the full project cycle.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management.
• Experience working in and coordinating a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience in procuring and managing internal and outsourced professional teams & contractors.
• The ability to communicate and influence at a senior level.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Understanding of planning and construction law and practice.
• Knowledge of property valuation and development appraisal.
• Good understanding of the 'due diligence' processes and risk management.
• Familiarity with technical specifications, contract tenders and briefing documents.

• Salary band of £56,796 - £64,625 per annum.
• An additional £5,000 market supplement is dependent on experience.
• A £3,768 car allowance.
• Up to 25% employer pension contribution.
• 27 days of annual leave, bank holidays and 4 days of Christmas leave, rising by 5 days after 5 years of continual service.

For an informal discussion about the role, please get in touch with Lloyd Exley.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV and a completed Equalities monitoring form, along with a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the Person Specification and Job Description, to recruitment@rother.gov.uk.

Access & Inclusion

Rother DC guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy; they will ensure their individual needs are factored into the interview environment, making adjustments to ensure the interview experience is as accommodating as possible for every candidate.