Strategic Planning Manager

Avon and Somerset Police; Portishead; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in Portishead seeks an experienced leader in strategic planning. The role involves formulating and managing strategic processes that align with national policing objectives. Candidates should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, experience in complex organizations, and the ability to negotiate effectively. The position offers flexible working arrangements and various benefits, including continuous professional development and local government pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working

Continuous professional development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance scheme

Staff discount scheme

24 hour gym access

Qualifications

• Experience of strategic planning within a complex organisation.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to influence others.
• Significant interpersonal skills for effective working relationships.
• Proven negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong presentation and leadership abilities.
• Ability to prioritise workloads independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and review of the strategic plan.
• Deliver the Force Strategic Planning Cycle.
• Consult with senior leaders on strategic planning.
• Support business areas in establishing planning processes.
• Present progress of the Strategic Plan to stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic planning

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Deadline management

Job description

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term direction of an organisation that makes a real impact? We're looking for an experienced leader to join our team and take charge of developing, implementing, and monitoring our strategic planning process that align with national policing objectives.

This is a key opportunity to influence the future of policing by leading the creation and continuous improvement of our strategic planning processes that drive our mission forward. If you're passionate about strategic planning and driving meaningful change, we want to hear from you.

In this role your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead the formulation and ongoing review of the organisation’s strategic plan in support of the strategy, including co-ordinating cross-departmental input, ensuring strategic plans align with governance structures and compliance requirements
• Responsible for the delivery of the Force Strategic Planning Cycle to ensure timely delivery of several planning cycle products e.g. PESTLE, Capability Maturity, Strategic Policing Requirement
• Work in close partnership with senior leaders to provide consultancy in respect of the deployment of the strategic planning cycle at enterprise level using professional, industry standard consultancy tools and techniques to support the refinement, implementation, and management of the cycle
• Support business areas in establishing strategic planning processes to help mature the discipline across the organisation
• Present progress of our Strategic Plan and findings to internal stakeholders to aid understanding and identify areas for improvement.

Skills & experience required:

• Experience of strategic planning within in a complex organisation including managing strategic planning processes, consultation and negotiations with a range of senior stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills, with ability to adapt style and format and experience of influencing and advising others.
• Significant interpersonal skills with experience of building, managing and maintaining effective working relationships across all levels.
• Able to demonstrate negotiation and influencing skills beyond formal lines of authority with experience of challenging stakeholders in a professional and supportive manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills including delivering presentations, coaching, motivating and leading others.
• Able to meet deadlines, prioritise workloads and work independently.

What we can offer you:

A package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits to support whatever stage of life you're in, including:

• Flexible working
• Continuous professional development
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance scheme offering help through counselling services, legal advice, fitness advice, personal coaching and health assessment
• Staff discount scheme for savings on shopping, days out, sporting events, holidays
• In our Headquarters in Portishead, you’ll have access to a 24 hour gym, on-site Costa Coffee shop and beautiful grounds.

Additional Information:

This is a full time role which operates Monday to Friday, with flexible working hours available to suit the successful candidate, in line with our flexible working policy. While the role offers flexibility, there will be requirements to attend face-to-face meetings at our Headquarters in line with business need.

Candidates successful at shortlisting will be invited to attend an in person interview, scheduled for Monday 23rd February 2026.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

For more information please see the attached job description below or contact James Davis via email: [e-mail].

Does this sound like the role for you? Click the link below to apply.

About us

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset.

We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.

Find out more about our benefits and culture.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/ Hybrid Working

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible.

This role has been identified as a blended role.

The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.