Job Description

Planning Legal Director

Location: Manchester

Salary: £95,000 to £115,000 + bonus (dependent on experience)

Experience: 8+ years’ PQE

 

This is a rare opportunity for a Planning Legal Director to join a growing northern planning practice in Manchester, advising a mix of developer and housebuilder clients across a broad spread of planning and infrastructure matters.

It’s a hands-on role with real scope to help shape the team’s regional offering, build relationships in the North West market, and progress towards partnership.

 

The Opportunity

• Advise on town and country planning matters across contentious and non-contentious work

• Support on highways, compulsory purchase and compensation matters

• Advise on planning litigation, enforcement and related dispute work

• Get involved in Development Consent Order (DCO) and wider infrastructure matters (training available if you’re looking to deepen this area)

• Manage client relationships and provide clear, commercial advice at pace

• Work closely with colleagues nationally to deliver joined-up support on major schemes

• Play an active role in business development, networking and client events

• Supervise and develop junior lawyers and contribute to internal training

 

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

• 8+ years’ PQE with strong planning experience

• Confident advising on a broad range of planning matters, with the ability to run work independently

• Strong commercial acumen and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach

• Experience supervising and developing junior colleagues

• Comfortable with business development and building a market presence

• Discretion and professionalism

Desirable

• Experience of DCO and/or major infrastructure projects

• Experience advising on compulsory purchase and compensation

 

What’s On Offer

• Salary of £95,000 to £115,000 + bonus (dependent on experience)

• Manchester location

• High-quality planning work with a strong pipeline and national support

• Clear progression pathway, including partnership for those with the ambition and capability

• Support, coaching and structured development opportunities

• Comprehensive benefits package with flexible options (including annual leave options, pension, wellbeing support and additional benefits)

 

About Our Client

Our client is a national law firm with a specialist planning capability advising on the full development lifecycle, including planning applications, planning obligations, compulsory purchase and infrastructure matters. The team is collaborative, commercially focused and invests heavily in training, mentoring and long-term progression.

 

Location & Working Arrangements

Manchester. Flexible working patterns are available.

 

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.