Strategic Planning Manager

Wirral Council; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Strategic Planning Manager to lead strategic planning initiatives and manage a heritage team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership and emotional intelligence in a supportive environment while progressing the Local Plan. This role offers benefits such as flexible working, generous holiday, and a strong pension scheme.

Benefits

Strong pension scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

28 days annual leave plus public holidays

Qualifications

• Tenacious leader with emotional intelligence.
• Ability to show initiative and act independently.
• Experience in strategic planning and policy.

Responsibilities

• Work with Strategic Planners to progress the Local Plan.
• Manage the newly formed heritage team.
• Shape and realize the vision for service development.

Job description

There has never been a more exciting time to join Wirral Council. We’ve got ambitious targets to meet and to achieve everything we have promised to our residents, we need people who are ready to deliver the very best for our communities and show how they can #BeTheDifference. Our vision is to secure the best possible future for our residents, defined by the community prosperity we create and supported by our excellent people and services. If you strive to #BeTheDifference and want to be at the heart of our change and improvement journey, then this could be the perfect job for you.

Role

Strategic Planning Manager

We are looking for a tenacious leader to work with our Strategic Planners to take us forward into this new era of planning policy. We have a fully resourced team who have shown remarkable resilience in progressing our Local Plan to adoption in March 2025. We are in the very best position to consider our future, and we are looking for someone who is ready to scope a way forward, ready to show initiative and act independently but with full support of the Chief Planner and an established group of planning colleagues. The role also recognises the importance of protecting build heritage in Wirral and will also manage the newly formed heritage team, as they move towards proactively managing the remarkable environment across Wirral. We also have ambition to develop the service further and you would be a key part in shaping and realising that goal, bringing your own vision and passion. And finally, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive environment, the strategic planning team literally sits in the heart of the service, surrounded by other planning colleagues. We are building strength, skill and positivity together and we need a leader who has presence and emotional intelligence who will thrive in this culture.

Informal discussion and contacts

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact: [e-mail]

Timeline

Interviews are scheduled to take place mid-October.

Who can apply and support

If you are a Wirral resident, are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team on [e-mail] or contact 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349. If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, as part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. Please get in touch if you want to know more about some of the ways in which we could support you by emailing [e-mail].

Working at Wirral – benefits and culture

Our values reflect the pride we take in what we do. We are serious about staff wellbeing and recognise and reward great work. Benefits include a strong pension scheme with generous employer contributions, immediate life cover, ill-health protection, flexible and hybrid working, family-friendly initiatives and an annual leave package starting at 28 days plus public holidays. We foster an inclusive culture where everyone has a voice and is valued. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who share our values and commitment to inclusion.

If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact [e-mail].

How to apply

Please apply online by clicking the link below. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration; forms received via post will not be processed. We do not accept applications or CVs from recruitment agencies unless otherwise stated.

Additional information

All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page. The job description and supporting documents will not be accessible after the vacancy closing date, so please download now if you require a copy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.