Senior Associate - Planning
Senior Associate - Planning

Senior Associate - Planning

Manchester Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team as a Senior Associate, focusing on high-profile energy and infrastructure projects.
  • Company: Pinsent Masons is a top global law firm with a dynamic and inclusive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy first-class training, early responsibility, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Work on impactful projects while developing your career in a friendly, award-winning team.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years of experience in planning law and a strong academic background required.
  • Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

We are currently looking to recruit a senior Consenting Lawyer to join our market leading Planning & Environment, Energy & Infrastructure team. We are ideally looking to recruit a candidate with upwards of 6 years’ post qualification experience with a focus on the Planning Act 2008, the Transport and Works Act 1992, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, compulsory acquisition/purchase, EIA/HRA, inquiries/examinations and judicial review. The successful candidate will work predominantly in our Energy & Infrastructure consenting team.

What our Planning & Environment team is known for:

  • We are the largest planning team in the UK with specialists covering a wide range of major projects across the Energy, Infrastructure and Real Estate sectors.
  • Our Energy & Infrastructure consenting specialists are advising on some of the country’s most high profile projects, covering all forms of energy, such as offshore wind, utility scale solar, carbon capture & storage, nuclear, energy networks and pipelines, and infrastructure, such as water, airports, ports, roads, rail, and rapid transit systems.

Key clients in these sectors include:

  • Orsted
  • EDF
  • bp
  • Drax Power
  • National Highways
  • Transport for London
  • Heathrow Airport
  • Southern Water

Work highlights include:

  • Advising Orsted on its Development Consent Orders for Hornsea Offshore Wind Farms Projects 3 and 4;
  • Advising on the largest utility scale solar and battery farm Development Consent Order;
  • Advising on the country’s leading carbon capture & storage projects for BP, VPI, Drax and Cory;
  • Securing planning permission for Southampton Airport’s runway extension and successfully defending the permission in the High Court;
  • Advising National Highways on the successful DCO application for the £1.9bn A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme (the Stonehenge Tunnel).

The successful candidate will ideally have gained experience with a large regional or national practice. They will have a strong academic background and an outgoing personality. Candidates must be technically excellent but equally important, commercially aware and enthusiastic about, and demonstrate a track record of, business development. They will be a team player with a strong client focussed approach.

Lawyers joining this friendly and dynamic team will encounter a broad range of work, acting for a range of high profile clients on large and nationally significant projects. Whilst the successful candidate will sit within our Property Group, they will have close links to our Energy and Infrastructure Sectors.

About The Firm:

Pinsent Masons is a global 100 law firm, with over 3,800 employees operating out of 28 locations across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

What will we offer you?

  • We are a market leading, dynamic and growing team who work together to produce outstanding results for our clients.
  • We invest in our team and have a first class training and career development programme, monthly 1-2-1s, career discussions and biannual appraisals.
  • Our training will assist you to develop as a specialist with valuable sector knowledge and the ability to deliver the highest quality of services.
  • Early responsibility and opportunities to develop client relationships.

Awards:

We’re being recognised equally by commentators and other market movers through a plethora of awards spanning every region and culminating in being named law firm of the year by Legal Business, the FT’s most innovative law firm in Europe (for the third time in eight years), winning their sustainability award in Asia Pacific and being ranked as Thomson Reuters’ leading legal brand in their UK index.

We have been recognised by Stonewall as a Top Global Employer. Recognising that we are a leading employer in advancing LGBT+ inclusion. Pinsent Masons is recognised as a 'Top Ten Employer for Working Families in 2023' for the seventh consecutive year. We are accredited as a Disability Confident Employer by the Department for Work & Pensions and we were the first law firm to sign up the global Valuable 500.

At Pinsent Masons we value diversity and inclusion. We are committed to creating a better workplace where all our talent can succeed and feel like they belong. We want to attract, retain and develop people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability/ long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by local law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Senior Associate - Planning employer: Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a strong focus on career progression through comprehensive training programmes and early responsibility on high-profile projects, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles. Located in major cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester, the firm is recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, making it a rewarding place for talented individuals to build their careers.
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Contact Detail:

Pinsent Masons Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Associate - Planning

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the Planning and Environment sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with current employees at Pinsent Masons or similar firms. This can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with recent high-profile projects in the Energy & Infrastructure sectors that Pinsent Masons has been involved in. Being able to discuss these projects during an interview will demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of their work.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your business development skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully built client relationships in the past. Pinsent Masons values commercially aware candidates, so highlighting your ability to attract and retain clients can set you apart.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the specific legal frameworks mentioned in the job description, such as the Planning Act 2008 and the Transport and Works Act 1992. Being well-versed in these areas will not only help you in interviews but also show your commitment to the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate - Planning

Post Qualification Experience (6+ years)
Knowledge of the Planning Act 2008
Understanding of the Transport and Works Act 1992
Familiarity with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Experience in compulsory acquisition/purchase
Expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
Ability to manage inquiries and examinations
Knowledge of judicial review processes
Strong academic background in law
Commercial awareness
Business development skills
Client-focused approach
Team collaboration skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to handle high-profile projects

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Associate - Planning position. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and required qualifications, especially regarding the Planning Act 2008 and related legislation.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in planning law, particularly your work with the Planning Act and any significant projects you've been involved in. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and achievements.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Mention specific projects or clients you admire from Pinsent Masons and how your background aligns with their work.

Showcase Business Development Skills: Since the role requires a focus on business development, include examples of how you've contributed to client relationships or brought in new business in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and team player attitude.

How to prepare for a job interview at Pinsent Masons

✨Know Your Legislation

Familiarise yourself with the key legislation relevant to the role, such as the Planning Act 2008 and the Transport and Works Act 1992. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the position.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss specific projects you've worked on that relate to energy and infrastructure. Highlight your role in these projects and any challenges you overcame, as this will illustrate your practical experience and problem-solving skills.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness

Understand the commercial implications of planning decisions and how they affect clients. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to business development and client relationships, as this is a key aspect of the role.

✨Emphasise Teamwork and Client Focus

Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues and prioritised client needs in past roles. This will show that you are a team player who aligns with the firm's values and client-centric approach.

Senior Associate - Planning
Pinsent Masons
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