Principal Planning Officer; Enforcement

Do you want to join an RTPI award winning planning team in the heart of Greater Manchester? We’re currently looking to recruit a Principal Planning Officer (Enforcement) to join Salford’s Development Management team on a permanent contract.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join our dynamic, innovative and welcoming planning team. Salford embraces change and growth. A thriving mix of modern and historic, it is full of ambition, opportunity, and innovation a place of natural beauty and diversity, with a proud cultural heritage.

Salford is a truly diverse city which provides the opportunity to be involved across the breadth of the planning spectrum. From high rise city centre development, to the internationally acclaimed Salford Quays and Media City, and from inner city regeneration to protection of the biodiversity heartland of Chat Moss, Salford offers a unique range of opportunities as you continue to develop your career.

As Principal Planning Officer (Enforcement), you will manage a caseload of planning enforcement cases which will typically comprise more complex breaches of planning control, applying current legislation and policy as appropriate. Working alongside our other Principal Planning Officer (Enforcement), you will jointly be responsible for the day-to-day management and co-ordination of the work of the planning enforcement team. You will review recommendations of other members of the enforcement team and make decisions on a range of cases and their associated actions and recommendations under delegated authority on behalf of the council.

You will work positively with perpetrators and their agents, and complainants, and legal colleagues, in order to find solutions and obtain high quality outcomes within given time constraints.

As a service which is always looking to innovate and excel, you will contribute towards identifying and delivering service improvements and will be part of a supportive team environment where collaboration and the sharing of ideas and knowledge is positively encouraged. Our Development Management team is at the forefront of pioneering innovation in terms of digital and technological service improvement in planning.

The council’s offices are based in Swinton, and we offer a hybrid approach to flexible working which enables you to work remotely or from the office.

Your style and approach will reflect our values: you will be passionate about what you do, always striving to improve things; valuing and respecting the contribution of others, you will work together to deliver a better service; you will take pride in always getting things right first time and learn from when things do go wrong; you will enjoy taking personal responsibility to resolve issues and change what you do and how you do it to make a difference.

You will be passionate about placemaking and adding value to proposals to secure high quality sustainable development and will be able to prioritise and manage a caseload of large-scale, complex and often high profile applications. You will have an excellent level of technical knowledge and understanding of current and emerging planning legislation and will possess the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, be well organised, efficient and have a positive attitude.

You will also have a planning degree and be eligible to apply for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Come and join us in building a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive Salford.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 March 2026.

Please submit a CV and covering expression of interest setting out why you wish to apply for this role.

If you would like to know more about the role or for an informal chat, please contact Gareth Clegg, Group Leader Development Management on  / email or Anthony Stephenson, Group Leader Development Management on  / email antho
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↗ Principal Planning Officer (Enforcement) - Role Profile