Associate/ Snr Associate (4+ PQE) in Exeter

We are seeking to recruit an ambitious and confident planning Associate (with at least 4 years PQE) to join our leading Planning and Infrastructure Consenting Team in Exeter. We are currently advising on some of the largest developments in the region including large scale strategic development, nationally significant energy and infrastructure development, planning obligations, community infrastructure levy, lawful development certificates and highways. We act for national and regional housebuilders, land promoters, and local authorities on all aspects of bringing forward development.

Responsible for helping with and running your own case-load, you will work with partners and solicitors in the department across the firm's offices. The planning team covers the full remit of planning matters, meaning you will also support other teams in the firm on property acquisitions and disposals, as well as advise on contentious planning matters such as enforcement, compulsory purchase, judicial reviews, statutory challenges and appeals. You will be responsible for dealing with high quality, high value work with high levels of responsibility from the outset.

Who you are

An excellent communicator with proven technical and organisational skills, you’ll be accustomed to working under pressure to meet challenging deadlines, and already have a firm grounding in planning work, ideally with some experience in residential development and energy related cases with a similar sized national or city firm. With an eye for detail, you’ll be meticulous and thorough in your work, with experience in acting for a range of clients. Our relationship with our clients is paramount. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to build strong and lasting relationships with clients, and show a genuine commitment to their business needs.

Being self-motivated and ambitious, you will be keen to expand your knowledge and experience, and possess the drive to help us continue to grow and develop our business. Clients will be looking to you to be up to date on the latest policy developments affecting the sector, and as such, you’ll need to demonstrate a genuine interest and enthusiasm for your work, and its wider implications for our clients. We act for a number of leading national energy developers and we’d hope that you share our passion to play a part in combatting climate change and securing a clean energy future.

In return, we will support you to grow your professional networks, and maximise business development opportunities through access to relevant events and conferences, enhancing your knowledge and credibility across the sector.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work. When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities.

With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career. Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way. Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward-thinking team.

Our offer

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee led diversity and inclusion groups. You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.

What’s next?

Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way. We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you. At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk. For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Toby Tompkins, Talent Attraction Manager - t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk. Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.