Senior Strategic Planner

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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.

Senior Strategic Planner

About The Role

We are looking to appoint a Senior Strategic Planner to join a team at the start of an exciting journey. You will be expected to play a key part in working with the strategic authority as progress with the Spatial Development Strategy continues and scoping the future of plan making in Wirral. This is alongside maintaining and monitoring our newly adopted Local Plan. The role provides the chance to develop a wide range of planning experience in a supportive environment, at the heart of the wider planning service.

About The Candidate

We would like to hear from you if you have knowledge of the relevant law, Government guidance, policies and practice relating to planning, have excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate information; to present clear, accurate and concise reports to a wide range of audiences, and an ability to work effectively with individuals, teams, customers, partners and staff, understanding the functions and needs of the service and the organisation as a whole. The successful candidate will be educated to degree level in Planning or hold a closely related relevant qualification and be eligible for full membership of the Institute of Planning (RTPI).

If you enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment and think you have what it takes to be the difference for our staff and residents, then this could be the perfect job for you.

You Will Be Required To

• Prepare, monitor and review the Development Plan and its supporting documents and information, to meet the timescales for plan making set out in the Council’s Local Development Scheme.
• Prepare planning policy responses to planning applications, neighbouring local planning authorities, Government consultations and emerging sub‑regional strategies and initiatives.
• Support the preparation of neighbourhood planning proposals by the local community.
• Collect, prepare and maintain the evidence base for the Development Plan and associated planning policy development, including the Council’s statutory Brownfield Land Register.
• Support the Council through production of evidence and represent the Authority at public inquiries, hearings, appeals, and examinations.
• Attend Council Committees and other meetings/events as required.

Interviews

Interviews to be held on Monday 24th November 2025.

How To Apply

Please apply online by clicking the link beneath this application. For an informal chat about this role please contact either of the following panel members: John Entwistle – johnentwistle@wirral.gov.uk or Mandy Lewis – mandylewis@wirral.gov.uk.

For Wirral residents who are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team on info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or call 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.

If you are already a Wirral Council employee, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. If you want to know more about internal recruitment, email recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.

Working at Wirral

You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here: we are proud of our values, well‑looking after staff, rewarding people for good work, investing in our people, offering benefits such as staff discounts, a pension scheme, life cover and ill‑health protection, flexible and hybrid working, and a generous annual leave package.

We maintain an inclusive and engaging culture where everyone has a voice, is valued for their contribution, and is supported in their professional development. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. All applications are accepted only through the Jobs page. We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies without explicit invitation.

Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date and may be closed earlier if sufficient applications are received.