Deputy Principal Planning Lawyer

• About the role
• Help Shape the Future of Hillingdon
• Hillingdon Council is looking for an experienced and motivated

Deputy Principal Planning Lawyer to join our highly regarded Legal Services team.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a senior role within our Planning Legal Team, managing a complex and varied caseload while supporting the Head of Legal in leading the team and delivering a high-quality, customer-focused legal service.

Working closely with Members, senior officers and Planning colleagues, you will provide expert legal advice on complex planning matters, represent the Council in court and at committees, and help ensure the Council delivers its strategic priorities while managing legal risk effectively.

As Deputy Principal Planning Lawyer, you will

• Manage a complex caseload of planning law matters from instruction through to completion.
• Provide specialist legal advice on planning legislation, policy and governance.
• Represent the Council through advocacy in the Courts, Tribunals, Planning Committees and other hearings.
• Draft and review a wide range of legal documentation, agreements and court papers.
• Advise on Cabinet reports, policies and strategic planning projects.
• Support and deputise for the Head of Legal when required.
• Supervise, mentor and support members of the Planning Legal Team.
• Maintain high professional standards, ensuring compliance with LEXCEL requirements and legal best practice.
• Build strong working relationships with Members, officers, external organisations and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to service improvement, workforce development and the continuous enhancement of Legal Services.

About You
We are looking for a qualified legal professional who has

• Significant experience practising Planning Law.
• Experience managing complex and high-profile planning matters.
• Strong advocacy, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation, governance and local government practice.
• Experience supervising or mentoring legal professionals.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high professional standards.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering excellent client service.

Experience within local government would be highly advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a progressive Legal Services team where your expertise will directly support the delivery of major developments, regeneration projects and strategic Council priorities.

You'll work on high-profile and challenging planning matters while helping to develop and support a talented legal team in an organisation committed to

Putting Our Residents First .

• Benefits
  Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.

Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.

• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.

We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme.

We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Standard Check
• Qualifications Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note:
Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council.

Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

#J-18808-Ljbffr