Head of Strategic Planning

Head of Strategic Planning

Permanent

£60,339 - £65,483

Your role

• The postholder will report to the Deputy Director Place (Planning) to support the GMCA’s strategic planning capacity. Working with districts, colleagues across the GMCA, and external partners in a complex, changing and political environment, you will contribute to the development of strategic planning policy and projects in the city region and work to achieve the delivery of the Greater Manchester Strategy ambitions.
• The postholder will head up the strategic planning team at the GMCA and will be responsible for discharging the statutory planning functions on behalf of the Mayor, including the preparation, consultation and adoption of the Mayor’s statutory Spatial Development Strategy and the preparation of other statutory joint plans, in particular the GM Joint Minerals and Waste plan.
• The postholder will also lead on the strategic planning input to the housing first unit and the delivery of accelerated housing growth to meet the needs of GM residents, including developing strategic relationship with Government and other stakeholders.
• The postholder will work in partnership, not only across GM, but also promoting Greater Manchester in regional and national networks
• The postholder will be responsible for commissioning and managing research and intelligence projects and will be responsible for managing substantial budgets in relation to key projects such as the spatial development strategy

About you

• You will have a recognised degree in planning or relevant subject(s) or equivalent
• You will have significant and current UK experience working in a strategic planning strategy or related policy environment
• You will have recent experience in UK local government and awareness of opportunities and constraints in the current operating context for local authorities
• You will have experience of working at a high level in supporting policy development, implementation and monitoring; in preparing written reports and briefings; in presentation of reports; and in communicating outcomes
• You will need to have skills in direct line management
• You will need to be able to manage complex partnerships involving various stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors
• You will need the skills of critical thinking and to communicate complex messages to a range of stakeholders

Full details of the post can be found in the job description

About us

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) brings together the cityregion’s ten councils and key partners including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) - to deliver the Greater Manchester Strategy. Our shared vision is to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. We work to grow an inclusive economy and ensure people have what they need to live happy, healthy lives, tackling inequalities. Our policy department include Digital, Economy, Education, Work & Skills, Environment, Place Making, Public Service Reform, and Safer & Stronger Communities - who are supported by our essential corporate functions like Finance, Legal & Governance, People Services, Procurement and Communications.

We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/

Our offer

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here:

Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs

Mandatory Information

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

Privacy Notice (Click here)

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

Supporting Documents

↗ Head of Strategic Planning Job Description_July 2026