Working hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Working style: Hybrid
Closing date: 11.59pm, 9 November 2026 
Interview method: in person
 
Skilled Worker Sponsorship 
You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role. 
 
About The Role
Manchester City Council's City Policy service helps develop, support and deliver the city's strategic priorities as set out in the Our Manchester Strategy 2025-35. We bring together evidence, partnerships and strategic thinking to help tackle some of Manchester's biggest opportunities and challenges.

The Strategy and Economic Policy team works across a wide range of issues that affect Manchester residents, businesses and communities. We help shape the city's long-term direction through strategy development, policy advice, programme delivery and partnership working, with a particular focus on creating a fairer and more inclusive economy.

We are recruiting a Principal Policy Officer to help more Manchester residents benefit from the city's economic success. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Manchester through strategy, policy and partnership work at a city-wide level.

In this role, you will:
  • Lead the development of new city-wide strategies, policies and initiatives.
  • Support delivery of the Our Manchester Strategy 2025-35 and Manchester's economic strategy, Investing in Success.
  • Work with partners across the city and city-region to develop shared priorities and deliver collective action.
  • Gather and use evidence, insight and engagement to inform policy development and decision-making.
  • Listen to and understand the needs and experiences of residents, businesses and stakeholders.
  • Provide briefings, reports and advice to senior officers, elected members and partner organisations.
  • Manage projects and programmes that contribute to Manchester's strategic priorities.
For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Peter Norris, at peter.norris@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.
 
Pre-employment checks
If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process. For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.
  

Politically Restricted Post

 This post is classified as politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. This act imposes restrictions on political activities by employees who hold certain positions. Further guidance will be indicated in the appointment documents. 


We're looking for someone who is motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in Manchester and who enjoys turning ideas, evidence and partnerships into practical action.

You may currently work in policy, strategy, economic development, research, public affairs, local government, consultancy or another related field. Most importantly, you'll bring experience of working on complex issues with a range of partners and stakeholders to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
  • Experience of developing strategies, policies, programmes or projects that address real-world challenges.
  • The ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, building productive relationships and finding common ground between different interests.
  • Strong judgement and an ability to work through complex issues, using evidence and insight to develop practical solutions.
  • A proactive and well-organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.
  • Confidence working independently while also contributing positively as part of a team.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas clearly to different audiences.
  • A commitment to equality, inclusion and ensuring Manchester's success benefits all residents.
Desirable
It would be beneficial, but not essential, if you have:
  • An understanding of Manchester's economy and the opportunities and challenges facing the city.
  • Experience of developing, implementing or evaluating policy or strategy.
  • Knowledge of local government or the wider public policy environment.

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You’ll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services 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 

  • Enhanced parental and carers leave  

  • Employee discounts and perks  

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council 

Our commitment to inclusion 

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce. 

GM Elevate Programme 

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application. 

 

Accessible Formats: 
Use ReciteMe  through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour. 

Calculate your take home pay. 

Privacy Notice 

Ready to apply?

Location

, , Manchester, , United Kingdom

Job ID

8931

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future

Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.

  1. Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay

    Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.

    Estimate your Income Tax for the current year (Gov.uk)

  2. Check Your Benefits Entitlement

    See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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