Principal Planning Manager - Local Plan

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date & Closing time: 11.59pm, 10 September 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face 

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action

This role is subject to -

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

 Qualification - Degree level

This is an exciting time to be joining the Planning Strategy Team in Manchester as we have just started consultation on the final version of the Local Plan with an intention to submit the plan for examination by the end of 2026. The role will work with the Planning Strategy Manager to lead the Local Plan team within Planning Strategy. The post holder will be expected to liaise across these other teams as part of their role and to support the delivery of the Local Plan and other planning policy documents.. If you share Manchester’s clear ambitions in delivering high quality developments, and safe and secure environments in the city, we want to hear from you.   

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Duncan McCorquodale ([email protected]) to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

We would love to hear from you if you have experience of: 

Essential requirements for the role:   

Communication Skills - Speaks fluently and writes articulately, expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly, makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility. An ability to motivate others through building effective relationships and gaining their full support for achieving outcomes.

Analytical Skills - Demonstrates the ability to apply analytical and logical thinking to gathering and analysing information, designing and testing solutions to problems, and formulating plans.

Planning and Organising - Sets clearly defined objectives, plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of changing circumstances; identifies and organises resources and manages time effectively monitoring performance against milestones and deadlines. An ability to turn strategic ideas and objectives into practical, well organised plans.

Problem Solving and Decision Making - Uses creative ability to find solutions and whilst considering policy and procedure is also confident in adopting (and justifying) novel or non-standard approaches.

Strategic Thinking - Excellent planning skills and ability to link strategy to policy which meets both internal and external requirements. An ability to translate vision into strategy and strategy into action.

Policy Skills - Builds collaborative and trusting relationships with decision makers; and lead in the design of delivery frameworks and key performance indicators.

Financial Management - Resource and financial management skills, including resolution of conflicting priorities, formulating budgets, rigorous monitoring and control procedures.

People Management - Effective development, management and motivation of staff within service area, providing leadership and planning for the work of a service based function or Council wide team. Establishes clear targets and monitors progress to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.

The experience below would be beneficial but is not essential:  

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role:   

Possession of a recognised Town Planning qualification resulting in exemption from RTPI examination or successful completion of the final examination of the RTPI.
Significant knowledge, understanding and experience of the statutory planning system and its operation within a local planning authority.
A minimum of 5 year’s experience working in a planning policy environment