Senior Legal Counsel, Planning in Hounslow

Senior Legal Counsel, Planning in Hounslow

Hounslow Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
hackajob

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead legal strategy for Heathrow's expansion and secure complex planning consents.
  • Company: Join Heathrow, a key player in the UK's infrastructure development.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth, and the chance to influence major projects.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with key stakeholders and shape policy.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 6+ years in planning and infrastructure law.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

hackajob is collaborating with Heathrow to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

Description

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to work alongside the Head of Legal (Planning) in leading the legal planning strategy for Heathrow's expansion and wider planning matters, securing complex planning consents and influencing planning policy at local and national levels.

This role will be required to work closely as a trusted advisor with the expansion programme team and with Heathrow's wider legal, property and operational functions.

The Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for day-to-day legal consenting (and other) issues, including advising directly and procuring external legal advice where required.

The Senior Legal Counsel will have Development Consent Order (DCO) experience from pre-application through to post consent, including advising on compulsory acquisition; landowners and statutory undertakers; consenting/engagement strategies; environmental impact assessment and Habitats Regulations; DCO application documents and examination strategies; and DCO implementation.

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in Heathrow's expansion ambitions and the delivery of one of the UK's most complex and significant infrastructure programmes.

Responsibilities

  • Leading the planning consents and approvals strategy for major infrastructure, expansion and investment programmes, including DCOs, planning applications, appeals, consultations and statutory processes, ensuring successful delivery of complex projects.
  • Representing the organisation's interests in planning and infrastructure policy discussions, consultations, studies and reforms, influencing decision-making at local, regional and national levels.
  • Building, managing and influencing relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, consenting authorities, regulatory bodies, industry partners and external organisations.
  • Providing leadership and specialist expertise within the legal function, developing team capability, managing budgets and overseeing the delivery of high-quality outcomes.
  • Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to align legal consenting activity with business priorities and deliver strategic objectives.
  • Acting as a key interface between major programme teams and legal specialists, ensuring legal planning and consenting considerations are effectively integrated into project development and delivery.

Qualifications

  • Qualified Solicitor with significant post-qualification experience (typically 6+ years), including a proven track record of leading complex planning and infrastructure consenting matters consented by way of DCO.
  • A law degree and/or relevant postgraduate qualification, or equivalent professional experience gained through an alternative qualification route, with a strong focus on planning and infrastructure law.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Planning Act 2008 and the DCO regime.
  • Experience representing organisations with credibility and confidence in external forums, including committees, stakeholder groups, public meetings and industry events.
  • Strong negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively across a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams, including the management of external legal advisors, consultants and technical specialists.
  • Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal and planning matters clearly to a variety of audiences.

Desirable Skills

  • In-house experience, preferably in a regulated organisation
  • Experience presenting to Executive Committees, Boards or other senior leadership stakeholder groups.
  • Knowledge of planning, infrastructure and aviation-related issues, particularly those affecting major airports or nationally significant infrastructure projects.
  • Experience working on large-scale infrastructure, transport or aviation developments within a complex stakeholder environment.
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Senior Legal Counsel, Planning in Hounslow employer: hackajob

At hackajob, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Our diverse team thrives in a high-performance environment where your contributions directly impact our multi-asset platform's success. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to employee development, joining us means being part of a forward-thinking company that values your expertise and ambition.

hackajob

Contact Details:

hackajob Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel, Planning in Hounslow

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel, Planning in Hounslow

Legal Planning Strategy
Development Consent Order (DCO) Experience
Compulsory Acquisition Knowledge
Environmental Impact Assessment
Stakeholder Engagement
Negotiation Skills
Influencing Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at hackajob, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.

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Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in hackajob and the specific role of Senior Legal Counsel, Planning. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.

Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for hackajob’s culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob

Know Your Legal Principles

Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.

Be Ready for Case Studies

Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.

Show Off Your Research Skills

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Exude Professionalism and Confidence

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