Lead - Infrastructure Funding Negotiator

Job Introduction

About Us

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to delivering services and infrastructure that supports thriving communities, sustainable growth, and a high quality of life for our residents. The Infrastructure Negotiation Team plays a vital role in creating successful communities by negotiating and securing in a legal agreement the financial contributions or delivery of infrastructure required to mitigate the impact of new development. 

We are proud of our collaborative, forward-thinking culture, where people are empowered to bring their expertise to the table and make a tangible difference.

Whether working from County Hall in Oxford or remotely, our teams are supported through agile working practices that reflect the diverse needs of our workforce and the communities we serve.

About the Role

As a Lead Negotiator your primary objective will be to secure in a s106 legal agreement the financial and non-financial obligations that will be used to put in place the identified mitigation required to address the impact of new development, ensuring they are compliant with Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations. Your role will require you to lead on negotiating the terms of a s106 legal agreement in discussion with the developer, the local planning authority and other interested parties. You will provide professional advice on s106 matters throughout the development cycle, from the local planning stage through to pre-application discussions to the drafting and completion of legal agreements. You will work on strategic sites and the most complex development sites and represent the Council at planning appeals. The job entails dealing effectively with a range of stakeholders working collaboratively with colleagues across county services and externally, working pro-actively with local planning authorities and developers and landowners. 

About you

You will have extensive knowledge and comprehensive understanding of s106 legislation and practices and have significant experience of negotiating planning obligations. You will be able to work independently within a small team with responsibility for leading on large strategic and other major development sites. The s106 process can be lengthy and complex and you will have a portfolio of sites to manage so you will be highly organised and have a proactive approach to your work and the ability to manage multiple tasks, working to demanding deadlines. Strong communication skills are essential, as you’ll be working closely with a range of interested parties - internal teams and external partners. 

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible and agile working;
• Technology to support agile working, where role permits;
• 30 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays (Increasing to 32 days after 10 years’ service);
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday;
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support;
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%;
• Enhanced family friendly policies;
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel;
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.