Planning Legal Director (Manchester)

This is a hands-on role with the opportunity for growth to help develop the scope of work that we already carry out for a mixture of developers and housebuilders on projects in town and country planning, highways, compulsory purchase, planning litigation, enforcement, DCO and infrastructure matters (including compensation).

For example:

• We act for eighteen of the UK's biggest housebuilders (including Taylor Wimpey, Lovell, Vistry and Barratt) on strategic schemes in London and the Southeast - size of schemes ranging from 30 to 3,000-unit schemes including garden villages.
• We are working on building up the DCO practice with assistance from Gateley Hamer and are advising several objectors to the Lower Thames Crossing DCO, dealing with consultation responses, legal advice, negotiations with LTC and Land & Works Agreements.
• We are acting for developers on planning applications, legal challenges and planning enforcement matters.

At Gateley we will encourage you to take advantage of the wide range of training and guidance available to specialists in planning and related environmental law, as well as participating in giving training to others through our seminar programme for clients and contacts of the business.

You will work closely with our National Head of Planning, Karen Howard, Matthew Scudamore and Robert Waite in developing your career to Partner level. You will be a key figure in the growth of our northern presence; and required to be actively involved in business development, attending networking and client events in the Northwest and Yorkshire.

The team comprises 11 qualified specialists handling planning obligations, appeals and all the advisory work required by Gateley's clients. Members of the team are based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Guildford and Nottingham.

As well as advising on mainstream planning law, the team deals with related systems and practice areas such as compulsory purchase, heritage law, environmental impact assessment, BNG, town/village greens, community infrastructure levy, and public rights of way.

Partners have many decades of experience of the planning system. The Unit has a fantastic reputation for the quality of advice, guidance and representation it provides to all its clients both regionally and nationally.

This opportunity is open to a solicitor with at least 8 years' PQE. Alongside fee earning, you will enjoy business development and be active within the Northwest or Yorkshire market.

Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Town and country planning
• Highways
• Compulsory purchase
• Compensation
• Ideally DCO Infrastructure projects (although we can provide quality training within this area)

We would welcome:

• Drive, commitment, self-motivation and a will do attitude.
• The ability to exercise discretion and professionalism at all times.
• Management and development of teams.
• Excellent commercial acumen.
• A smile.

With support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around, our great development and progression opportunities will reward your commitment and loyalty. We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual performance with an opportunity to receive an annual bonus.

In addition, we have a wide range of learning and development opportunities via our Learn platform to develop new skills and progress your career. Our My Flex comprehensive rewards package includes options covering annual leave (and the benefit of purchasing extra days), cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group personal pension, health care, season ticket loan and many more benefits (grade dependent).

Diversity, inclusion and well being is an important part of Gateley's culture and values. We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, or culture.

We create an exciting and rewarding place to work that aims to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals. We offer flexible working patterns to help our staff achieve a good work/life balance and we encourage candidates seeking flexibility in their next role to apply for any of our vacancies.

We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to be Stonewall Diversity Champions.

If you are successful in receiving an offer of a role with our company, a variety of pre-employment screening checks will be completed.