Senior Strategic Planning Officer
Trafford Council
Working Pattern: Full time Working Arrangement: 36.25 hours per week Interview Date/Type: w/c 23 November 2026 / Face to face SMART Working: We aim to offer flexibility wherever possible. Many of our colleagues work from home one or more days a week and/or adjust their hours. We call this SMART working - giving you the freedom to shape your working pattern around your life, whilst still delivering great outcomes. Speak with the hiring manager about the range of flexible working options available for this role. We currently have an exciting vacancy within our team at a pivotal stage in Trafford's planning future. The Trafford Local Plan is progressing towards submission for independent examination and this role will play an important part in supporting the evidence base, preparation of examination materials and wider plan-making work that will shape Trafford's communities, economy and environment for years to come. As a Senior Strategic Planning Officer, you will be involved in the creation, preparation and implementation of planning policies and transport related strategies, initiatives and schemes ranging from the strategic to the local level. In this role you will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of strategic planning projects, including Local Plan delivery, strategic site masterplanning, housing and employment evidence, infrastructure planning and transport policy; working closely with colleagues, consultants, stakeholders and partner organisations across Greater Manchester. In undertaking this role, you will take a leading role on various elements of policy and strategy creation, providing intuitive and creative professional advice and guidance to colleagues and internal and external stakeholders and partners. You will demonstrate our values through the way you work every day. Committed to continuous improvement, you will actively seek opportunities to learn, develop and enhance outcomes. You will build positive relationships, valuing and respecting the contributions of colleagues and partners to achieve shared goals. Taking ownership and accountability for your work, you will aim to get things right first time, learning from experience when things do not go as planned. You will be proactive in resolving issues, embracing change and adapting your approach to make a lasting and positive impact. You must have a degree or equivalent qualification, at least 3 years' experience within a planning role and a good understanding of planning legislation, planning policy and transport strategy. Experience of plan-making, evidence preparation and policy development would be advantageous. Given the team's current programme of work, knowledge and understanding of the Local Plan process, particularly preparation for submission and examination, together with an good understanding of housing land supply and related evidence, would be beneficial. Accordingly, we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with experience or knowledge of development plan preparation, examination processes, housing land supply, housing need evidence, monitoring, site assessments or related planning evidence work. About us Trafford’s Strategic Planning and Growth team is part of the wider Strategic Growth Service which is based at the Town Hall in Stretford, and you will report to the Principal Transport Policy Officer. Trafford is a diverse and exciting place to work with excellent opportunities for a challenging and varied workload. You will be joining a busy, friendly, and proactive team with opportunities to work with a range of public and private sector stakeholders. This is a particularly exciting time to join the Strategic Planning and Growth team. The Trafford Local Plan is approaching submission and independent examination, alongside the preparation and delivery of masterplans for major strategic growth locations. The team is also playing a key role in shaping the future of Trafford Wharfside, including the proposed redevelopment of the Manchester United stadium and surrounding area, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to one of the most important phases of the plan-making process whilst helping to shape the future growth, regeneration and development of the borough. The team are also working with partners and the government on Northern Powerhouse Rail, the planned airport station and the implementation of GM’s Transport 2040 strategy alongside many other regeneration and transport/ infrastructure projects. We recognise that having a diverse workforce is essential to bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to our Council, so we particularly welcome applications from minority, marginalised and diverse groups, and we in turn promise a fair and unbiased recruitment process. This advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so please apply as soon as possible. For the full details of this opportunity, please refer to the role profile linked below. If you have any questions or would like an informal chat you can get in contact with the hiring manager, Caroline Wright, Strategic Planning and Growth Manager on 07890 032576 / caroline.wright@trafford.gov.uk Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive. We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.” Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day. They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance: If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team shaping a better Trafford for our residents, businesses and communities then we'd love to receive an application from you. We want everyone to feel confident and supported throughout our recruitment process. If you need any help, adjustments or support at any stage, please get in touch with us at recruitment@trafford.gov.uk After reviewing the role profile and submitting your application, successful candidates will be invited to a values-based interview to learn more about your skills and experience. This is your opportunity to show how you connect with our EPIC values and can contribute to our vision.About the Role
About You
Additional Information
Find Out More.
About us...
Why Trafford?
Our Culture...
What you'll love about working with us...
Key Information...
Make an Impact. Apply Today....
Supporting Documents
↗ Senior Strategic Planning Officer Role Profile
Ready to apply?
Location
Talbot Road, , Trafford, M32 0TH, United Kingdom
Job ID
2461
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
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
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.
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)
Check Your Benefits Entitlement
See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Stay Safe When Applying
To protect yourself from recruitment scams, please only apply for roles through the official greater.jobs website and associated recruitment systems. We will never ask for your personal information outside of this process.
