Principal Planning and Highways Solicitor

We are working with a Shared Legal Service in the Northern Home Counties region looking for a permanent 5+ PQE Principal Planning and Highways Lawyer to join their department. This is an excellent opportunity to lead and manage a team of lawyers providing a range of public sector clients with exceptional legal service predominantly in respect of planning and highways law. The role offers a salary of (£57,750 – £72,059 DOE) with a management allowance of £1,400 and an excellent benefits package. This is a full – time position with the council operating on a flexible working environment. About the position: Principal Planning and Highways Lawyers are expected to undertake the following duties:Provide comprehensive specialist legal advice to clients (including elected members and senior officers) whilst managing a complex caseload in relation to the areas of planning and highways matters and other corporate/constitutional and administrative matters Contribute to the development, training or mentoring of colleagues within the team when required Attending committees/meetings of members, project boards, officers and/or external bodies to advise on legal issues, governance and procedure Deputise for the Head of Property, Planning and Highways when required Provide supervision and manage the work of the team to ensure that professional guidance is given including reviewing performance, caseloads and productivity, motivation and development, recruitment and selection and appraisals Actively seek out new business development opportunities and to raise the profile of shared legal service with both existing client base and potential new clients Represent clients in negotiations and discussions with third parties in planning and highways matters About you:The successful Principal Planning and Highways Lawyer will be a 5+ PQE admitted Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX of England and Wales with a current practising certificate. Good knowledge of planning and highways law and practices are essential. Previous managerial and advocacy experience is essential. You must have a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others, anticipate challenges and deal with them proactively. You must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to a diverse range of individuals/organisations. You must also be enthusiastic and driven by delivering a high-quality service with a positive attitude towards building relationships with team members. You must have the ability to evaluate information in complex situations and confidently make decisions independently. You must also be flexible to travel to other office locations when necessary. It is important that anyone joining the council is committed to these areas of law and can demonstrate the importance of health and safety as well as having the awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs. The ability to work under pressure is imperative, be self-motivated, and able to work to deadlines. Previous local authority experience is essential. Working through LAW AbsoluteAs the first recruitment agency to specialise only in placing interim lawyers, LAW Absolute has a long history in supporting lawyers who want to work flexibly and in control of their career. We are able to offer our contractors a range of challenging opportunities across private practice, corporates, financial services and within the not-for-profit sector. With over 20 years of placing contract lawyers in these markets, we have built excellent networks and many of the lawyers that we work with are contract lawyers that we have successfully placed on multiple assignments, allowing them to work with autonomy and build their career in the way they choose to. For our clients, we have worked closely with legal teams to help them plan and manage delivery of their services in a more efficient way in terms of resources, costs and timescales. Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. At LAW Absolute we endeavour to respond to all applications within 48 hours. However due to the volume of applications we receive we may not be able to respond to every candidate individually. If you have not heard from us within a 48 hour timeframe your application has not been successful and your details have not been retained. LAW Absolute acts as an employment business for temporary recruitment and as an employment agency for fixed term contract and permanent recruitment.