Manchester City Council
Principal Planning Manager - Local Plan
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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the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action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.
If you’re successful, you’ll join a team of professionals pushing forward a high standard of service deliver within the wider Planning Service.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Duncan McCorquodale (duncan.mccorquodale@manchester.gov.uk) 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.
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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
Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city that leads change and improves lives. Whether you’re supporting communities or improving public services, you’ll help create opportunities and shape a better future for everyone
Benefits We Offer
- Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service
- Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
- Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
- A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
- We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
- The UK’s largest local government pension scheme
- Enhanced parental and carers leave
- Employee discounts and perks
- Good Employment Charter member
For more information about working for Manchester Council, please visit Careers - Manchester City Council
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council values equality and works to provide a fair and inclusive environment for a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves. We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly welcome applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Requirements
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
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- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
- Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
What We Will Need From You If You're Successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Other Relevant Information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
GM Elevate Programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate( Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.
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.
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