Associate – Planning

Jobtailor; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is recruiting a qualified solicitor to advise on contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental matters in a UK-based firm.

You will work with Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams, manage complex planning applications, provide strategic guidance on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements, and train junior staff while developing the firm's planning offering.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to take on responsibility and manage files independently
• Qualified solicitor with up to 5 years' experience in planning work
• Strong academic record
• Exceptional technical legal skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Unwavering client focus with a track record of superior service delivery
• Sharp commercial awareness and strategic thinking capabilities
• Natural credibility and gravitas in client-facing situations
• Methodical, disciplined and highly organised approach to complex matters
• Outstanding communication skills across all mediums and audiences
• Subject to employment screening background checks, including personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications, and credit and criminal checks as appropriate

Responsibilities

• Advise private- and public-sector clients on contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental matters
• Work closely with Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams
• Support planning partners Jacqueline Backhaus, Rory Stracey and Rob Walker
• Assist in the future development of the firm's planning offering inside and outside London
• Handle complex planning applications through legal reviews and strategic advice
• Advise on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements
• Provide planning advice on major development schemes in waste, affordable housing and private developer sectors
• Act for planning authorities and registered providers on compulsory purchase order work
• Handle enforcement issues and public inquiry work
• Conduct planning due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions
• Build and maintain effective client relationships
• Participate in marketing initiatives
• Manage files in compliance with Lexcel procedures
• Participate in firm-wide and departmental training sessions
• Train and develop junior legal staff and secretaries where appropriate

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Commercial awareness

Client focus

Organizational skills

Education

Solicitor qualification

Law degree

Tools

Lexcel Compliance

Planning Applications

Regulatory Knowledge

Job description

• Advise private- and public-sector clients on contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental matters
• Work closely with Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams
• Support planning partners Jacqueline Backhaus, Rory Stracey and Rob Walker
• Assist in the future development of the firm's planning offering inside and outside London
• Handle complex planning applications through legal reviews and strategic advice
• Advise on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements
• Provide planning advice on major development schemes in waste, affordable housing and private developer sectors
• Act for planning authorities and registered providers on compulsory purchase order work
• Handle enforcement issues and public inquiry work
• Conduct planning due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions
• Build and maintain effective client relationships
• Participate in marketing initiatives
• Manage files in compliance with Lexcel procedures
• Participate in firm-wide and departmental training sessions
• Train and develop junior legal staff and secretaries where appropriate

Requirements

• Proven ability to take on responsibility and manage files, independently where appropriate
• Qualified solicitor with up to 5 years' experience in planning work
• Strong academic record
• Exceptional technical legal skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Unwavering client focus with a track record of superior service delivery
• Sharp commercial awareness and strategic thinking capabilities
• Natural credibility and gravitas in client-facing situations
• Methodical, disciplined and highly organised approach to complex matters
• Outstanding communication skills across all mediums and audiences
• Subject to employment screening background checks, including personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications, and credit and criminal checks as appropriate

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in planning law and environmental matters, with a strong focus on client service and strategic advice. Capable of managing complex planning applications and providing guidance on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements while maintaining compliance with legal standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Qualified Solicitor
• Planning Law Expertise
• Client Relationship Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Exceptional Communication Skills

Hard Skills

• Planning Applications
• Legal Reviews
• Section 106 Agreements
• Section 278 Agreements
• Compulsory Purchase Orders
• Planning Due Diligence
• File Management
• Lexcel Compliance
• Training and Development

Soft Skills

• Client Focus
• Attention to Detail
• Organizational Skills
• Commercial Awareness
• Credibility in Client-Facing Situations

Industry Keywords

• Public Sector
• Real Estate
• Construction
• Environmental Matters
• Affordable Housing
• Major Development Schemes
• Enforcement Issues
• Public Inquiry Work