Strategic Policy Lead (Place and Infrastructure Resilience)
| Company: | inploi |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Manchester, M1 6EU |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 11 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Job: Strategic Policy Lead (Place and Infrastructure Resilience)
Team: GM Resilience Unit (GMCA Resilience Directorate)
Salary: £54,495 to £59,113 (subject to job evaluation) TBC
Hours: 36.25 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with out of hours as required as part of a 365/24/7 on-call rota
Contract: Permanent Hybrid Working
Location: GMCA Offices, Tootal House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU
Advert closing date: September 6th at 23:59
Interviews: October 1st and 2nd in Central Manchester
We are seeking an exceptional Strategic Policy Lead (Place and Infrastructure Resilience) to join GMCA's Resilience Directorate at an exciting time in the development of Greater Manchester's whole-of-society resilience approach.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of resilience policy across one of the UK's largest city-regions, helping Greater Manchester better anticipate, prepare for, adapt to and recover from disruption.
Working across local government, emergency services, infrastructure providers, businesses, the voluntary sector and national partners, you will play a key role in helping to develop innovative policies, programmes and partnerships that strengthen resilience across communities, places and critical infrastructure systems.
The Role
As Strategic Policy Lead (Place and Infrastructure Resilience), you will work collaboratively across the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum (GMRF), GMCA directorates and external partners to develop and deliver strategic resilience policies and programmes.
You will:
- Lead our directorate’s policy development relating to place, infrastructure, business and economic resilience across Greater Manchester; contributing directly to the wider GMCA approach.
- Work closely with key stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of current, emerging and future resilience challenges, risks, vulnerabilities and interdependencies.
- Support the development and delivery of the Greater Manchester Resilience Strategy and wider Greater Manchester strategic ambitions.
- Work closely with key stakeholders to examine critical infrastructure resilience across sectors including energy, transport, water and digital networks, helping to improve our preparedness and emergency response arrangements.
- Contribute to wider GMCA and GM resilience policy development relating to climate adaptation, flooding, drought, wildfire, extreme weather and environmental risks.
- Work with partners to identify lessons from incidents, exercises and emergencies and translate these into long-term resilience improvements.
- Research and advise on local, national and international policy developments that may impact resilience planning and capability.
- Build strong relationships with wider GMCA directorates, infrastructure providers, regulators, local authorities, government departments and resilience partners to enhance preparedness and response capabilities.
About You
We are looking for a proactive and highly motivated policy professional with a passion for resilience, public policy and partnership working.
You will bring:
- Experience of resilience, civil contingencies, emergency planning, business continuity, infrastructure resilience or related policy areas.
- Experience of developing policy, strategy, programmes or projects within complex organisational environments.
- Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to interpret evidence and translate findings into practical policy solutions.
- Experience of influencing and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders across public, private and voluntary sectors.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
- The ability to identify emerging trends, future challenges and opportunities, translating these into innovative and actionable policy approaches.
- Strong project management and organisational skills, with experience managing multiple priorities and competing demands.
Essential Requirements
- Commitment to participate in a 24/7/365 resilience on-call rota supporting GMCA and GM LAs during emergencies.
- Ability to successfully obtain and maintain Greater Manchester Police Security Clearance.
- At time of application, a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.
- Willingness to travel throughout Greater Manchester and beyond when required.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future resilience of Greater Manchester and influence how one of the UK's leading city-regions prepares for an increasingly complex risk environment.
You will work on some of the most important challenges facing communities, places and infrastructure systems, helping to strengthen preparedness, improve resilience and support sustainable long-term development.
By joining the Resilience Directorate, you will play a key role in creating a safer, stronger and more resilient Greater Manchester for future generations.
Benefits - Greater Manchester Combined Authority
This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. Further details can be found in the attached role profile below.
The Selection Process
Candidates will be shortlisted following the closing date. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a selection process consisting of:
- A formal interview
- A written assessment
- A short presentation
Selection activities are expected to take place on October 1st and 2nd in Central Manchester and last approximately 3 hours.
Mandatory Information:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.
Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.
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For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.
Hybrid working
This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.
GM Elevate Programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application?