Your new role
This is an exciting opportunity for a Planning Associate or Senior Associate to join a well-established and growing Planning & Environmental team. The role offers exposure to a varied mix of planning and infrastructure matters, including nationally significant infrastructure projects, major development schemes and regeneration projects across a range of sectors. You will advise clients on Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and other infrastructure consenting regimes, as well as a broad range of Town and Country Planning Act matters, including planning applications, appeals, planning strategy and development delivery. The role will also involve negotiating planning and infrastructure agreements, providing planning support on real estate, corporate and infrastructure transactions, and working closely with colleagues across other practice areas to deliver practical and commercially focused advice. Alongside client work, you will play an active role in business development, helping to strengthen existing client relationships and raise the profile of the team in the market. There will also be opportunities to mentor and support junior lawyers as part of a collaborative and supportive team environment.
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified solicitor with approximately 3-6 years' PQE in planning law, although candidates outside of this range with the relevant expertise are encouraged to apply. The firm is particularly interested in candidates with experience advising on Development Consent Orders, infrastructure consenting regimes and complex planning matters relating to major projects and development schemes. Experience within the energy, transport, utilities, regeneration or wider infrastructure sectors would be advantageous, as would exposure to environmental law matters, although this is not essential. You should possess strong technical and drafting skills, a commercial and pragmatic approach to problem solving, and excellent communication skills. The successful candidate will enjoy building client relationships, contributing to business development initiatives and working collaboratively within a high-performing team.
What you'll get in return
In return, you will join a nationally recognised team undertaking high-quality and often market-leading planning and infrastructure work. The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits package, hybrid working arrangements, genuine opportunities for progression, and the chance to work alongside recognised experts in the field. This is an excellent opportunity for a planning lawyer seeking exposure to complex infrastructure and development projects while continuing to develop their career within a supportive and ambitious environment.
What you need to do now
If you are interested in this opportunity or would like to discuss it in more detail, please get in touch for a confidential conversation. If this role is not quite right for you but you are considering a move within Planning, Infrastructure, Environmental or Real Estate law, I would be delighted to discuss other opportunities currently available. We would expect a lawyer with the stated PQE to have developed the appropriate level of experience; however, applications from individuals with more or less experience are equally welcome.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Lawyer (3-6 PQE) in Southampton
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
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Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Planning Lawyer (3-6 PQE) role at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
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Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
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Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers.
