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Principal Planning Lawyer
- Location Bedfordshire
- Job type Permanent
- Salary £57,750 - 72,059 per year
- Discipline Local Government & Public Sector Legal
- Reference 87052
Principal Lawyer – Planning and Highways
£57,750 – £72,059 DOE
Shape the Future of Planning and Highways Law
This is an opportunity to lead, influence, and deliver exceptional legal advice within a dynamic public sector environment. As a Principal Lawyer, you will be at the forefront of complex planning and highways matters, guiding a skilled team while partnering with key stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions.
Why This Role Matters
Your expertise will shape major infrastructure projects and planning initiatives, ensuring legal compliance and protecting public interests. From leading a dedicated team to managing high-profile cases, you’ll play a critical role in delivering results that make a tangible difference.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead a team of experienced lawyers, ensuring top-tier legal services in planning, highways, and development matters.
- Provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice to senior officers, committees, and elected members.
- Manage complex caseloads, including large-scale development projects, and represent clients in negotiations, courts, and tribunals.
- Develop and strengthen client relationships, raising the profile of the legal service while identifying new business opportunities.
- Deliver training and mentoring to empower both clients and colleagues, supporting self-sufficiency and team growth.
- Act as a trusted legal advisor, ensuring safeguarding and compliance across key projects.
What You’ll Bring:
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with proven expertise in planning and highways law.
- A deep understanding of the local government legal framework and its operational challenges.
- Experience managing a team of professionals and delivering complex legal advice under pressure.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to simplify legal complexities for a variety of audiences.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a strong track record of delivering results.
What’s in It for You?
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible hours and hybrid working options that support your lifestyle.
- Generous Benefits: Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent family-friendly policies, and 26+ days of annual leave (plus public holidays).
- Professional Growth: Access to cutting-edge projects, ongoing training, and opportunities to expand your legal expertise.
- Supportive Culture: Work within a collaborative, modern environment where your contribution is valued and celebrated.