Stoke-on-Trent is on a journey with a rapidly growing economy creating new jobs, delivering regeneration and housing growth. It is a city with a strong sense of civic pride and absolute commitment to delivering the best outcomes for our residents.

In our Stronger Together Strategic Plan 2020-2024, we set out our strategic vision and priorities for Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the wider city. Stronger Together has been shaped by the political ambition of the City Council’s leadership, as well as the values and aims of the organisation. As such, it is as much a corporate plan for the council’s directorates and teams as it is a strategic blueprint for improving Stoke-on-Trent as a city.

In order to help deliver our key strategic priorities we are currently looking to recruit to the position of Joint Local Air Quality Project Lead, which will take on the role of Senior Responsible Owner for the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan, a joint project between Stoke-on-Trent City, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough and Staffordshire County Councils, tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution across the urban area in response to a Ministerial Direction issued in late 2018.

The role is exciting and unique, delivering transformational change, strategic direction, practice, guidance and legislation in relation to Air Quality projects and initiatives to improve the health of residents and visitors in the city and neighbouring authorities.

Reporting to our Director of Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing you will quickly form strong working relationships with colleagues authority-wide, particularly across the Housing, Development & Growth directorate to ensure all elements of air quality are managed, reported and developed.

We’re looking for an experienced project management professional passionate about delivering ambitious strategic plans in a political environment. The successful applicant will be able to work autonomously across multiple authorities, possessing excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse and interpret air quality and local transport legislation and inspire/influence both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Key Accountabilities

1. To develop and deliver an ambitious but deliverable local air quality plan for the city and neighbouring authorities that aligns with the plans of the city council and neighbouring authorities.
2. To advise on the overall strategy and direction of air quality control plans for the city council to promote behaviour change and improve health.
3. Identify and apply for any potential funding streams, including collating and preparing funding bids and managing current air quality projects.
4. To be responsible for tracking and reporting on all specific grants and other sources of external funding, ensuring that variations are identified and the implications of these changes accommodated through budget monitoring processes.
5. Prepare local community reports, support material and attend meetings as directed.
6. Respond to public and legal queries on air quality, in accordance with the department’s service standards, Environmental Information Regulations and Freedom of Information Act.
7. To take a lead role in the delivery of projects for and on behalf of the city and neighbouring authorities and with other relevant agencies as required, including assuming the role of Senior Responsible Owner for relevant air quality projects, including the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan.
8. To co-ordinate the commissioning and appraisal of masterplans, development and associated intervention programmes and projects in line with approved delivery plans.
9. To prepare reports for Council, Cabinet, Defra, the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) and others as appropriate on progress in implementing projects and agree with them appropriate plans of action to resolve concerns.
10. Ensure continuous service improvement through the effective implementation of the Directorate’s plans and subsequent service review and improvement.
11. To ensure that the directorate complies with all statutory or regulatory financial reporting deadlines and standards.
12. To maintain effective communications to ensure that key stakeholders both inside and outside the directorate are appropriately informed and involved.
13. Provide and support ad hoc training as necessary to promote behaviour change by staff, businesses and members of the public.

Person Specification

• Degree in Environmental Health, or relevant Environmental Science or Pollution Control disciplines
• An in-depth awareness of the UK environmental legislation, in particular related to local air quality management and local transport strategies
• Experience of the implementation of projects and initiatives to improve regulatory compliance
• A proven track record of successful project management using established and approved techniques
• A proven track record of successful and consistent achievement at a senior level within an organisation of comparable scope and complexity
• Significant experience of developing, planning, managing and delivering strategically important air quality or similar environmental projects.
• Experience of working effectively within a highly political environment at a senior level, providing clear, balanced advice and guidance on strategic issues.
• A proven track record of motivating and inspiring staff in order to deliver a change agenda and improve service delivery.
• Proven success in developing effective working relationships, partnerships with other agencies and communicating and influencing others.

For more information, please click the Apply button below, or a discussion about the post or to ask any further questions, please contact Peter Price, the Joint Air Quality Project Manager on 07931 920196 or email Pete.Price@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk. 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council Strategic Plan