Job Description

Planning Managing Associate

Location: Manchester

Salary: £55,000 to £80,000 plus bonus (dependent on experience)

Experience: 3+ years’ PQE

If you’re an infrastructure consenting lawyer looking for high-quality work and real responsibility, this is a strong opportunity to join a planning and infrastructure consenting team in Manchester.

You’ll work on a varied pipeline of infrastructure matters, support clients through complex consenting processes, and develop your expertise within a collaborative, supportive environment.

The Opportunity

This role offers a broad mix of infrastructure consenting work, with scope to take ownership of key workstreams, build client relationships and contribute to team growth.

• Advise on Development Consent Orders across the energy, transport and water sectors

• Advise on Transport and Works Act Orders for rail and light rail projects

• Support on harbour orders, marine licences and harbour works approvals

• Provide strategic advice on consents required for projects

• Advise on optioneering, route selection and consultation strategy

• Review application documents, including environmental statements

• Draft supporting documentation and assist with examinations and public inquiries

• Advise on land assembly strategy and compensation issues

• Support on public law issues relevant to infrastructure delivery

About You

Essential

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

• 3+ years’ PQE with relevant infrastructure consenting experience

• Strong technical knowledge of planning law and infrastructure consenting

• Experience advising on Development Consent Orders

• Experience with at least one of: Transport and Works Act Orders, harbour orders, marine licences, or harbour works approvals

• Confident drafting skills and strong attention to detail

• Strong organisation and ability to manage competing priorities

• Confident stakeholder management and a client-focused approach

• Commercial, pragmatic mindset and ability to remain calm under pressure

Desirable

• Experience advising both promoters and objectors

• Experience with hybrid Bills

• Experience advising on projects in energy, transport and/or utilities

• Experience supporting public inquiries and examinations

• Experience advising on land assembly and compensation

What’s On Offer

• Salary of £55,000 to £80,000 plus bonus (dependent on experience)

• Bonus scheme

• High-quality infrastructure consenting work with strong responsibility

• Supportive environment with training, mentoring and structured development

• Clear progression pathway

• Collaborative culture and access to wider full-service support

About Our Client

Our client is a large, full-service law firm with a strong planning and infrastructure capability and a collaborative culture. The team advises on complex consenting mandates and is known for combining technical excellence with a practical, solutions-led approach.

Location & Working Arrangements

Manchester.

Next Steps

Apply online or send your CV to lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or call 0333 996 2882 for more information.

All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to ethical recruitment and the highest standards of confidentiality for all applicants.