Planning and Environment Solicitor – Leadership role

Abacus Professional Recruitment Ltd; Belfast; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Northern Ireland is seeking a Planning & Environment Solicitor for a senior leadership role. This position offers the chance to shape and develop a new practice area while leading complex projects. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in planning and environmental law with proven leadership skills, ready to contribute in a supportive environment with excellent career progression opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance-based rewards

Career progression prospects

Supportive environment

Access to high-profile projects

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years’ PQE with expertise in planning and environmental law.
• Strong track record with public and private sector clients.
• Experience managing teams and leading legal initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a new Planning & Environmental practice.
• Provide expert advice on planning laws and environmental regulations.
• Mentor junior lawyers and collaborate across teams.

Skills

Leadership

Client Handling

Strategic Thinking

Environmental Regulation

Planning Law

Education

Qualified Solicitor in NI

Job description

LEADERSHIP ROLE – PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT SOLICITOR

We are working with one of Northern Ireland’s most innovative and progressive corporate and commercial law firms. As expected, they offer a long standing reputation for delivering high-value and complex legal solutions across sectors such as energy, real estate, construction and corporate finance. They have a portfolio of clients including developers, financial institutions, public bodies, and international businesses.Based on a sustained period of growth and commercial aspirations, the firm continues to invest in strategic growth areas and is now looking to build a market-leading Planning & Environmental function. This is a senior-level appointment with significant opportunity to shape direction, build a team, and engage in some of the most complex and high-profile projects across the region.

Focus is on:

• Lead the development and delivery of a new Planning & Environmental practice within the firm.
• Provide expert advice on planning law, environmental regulation, impact assessments, planning appeals, enforcement, and permitting issues.
• Act as primary advisor to developers, energy companies, local authorities, and commercial clients.
• Represent clients at public inquiries and planning hearings.
• Collaborate with colleagues across real estate, construction, corporate, and energy teams.
• Mentor and support junior lawyers as the team grows.

Essential Experience

• Qualified solicitor in NI and ideally ROI/E&W (welcomed bonus).
• Minimum of 7–10 years’ PQE with a specialist background in planning and environmental law.
• Significant experience advising on planning applications, environmental permitting, statutory compliance, EIA, and enforcement issues.
• Strong track record of handling complex matters involving both public and private sector clients.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and experience managing teams or leading initiatives.
• Excellent communication and client-handling skills.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a commercial mindset.
• Confident leading client engagements and managing high-stakes legal matters.
• Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a drive to build a new area of practice.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership opportunity in a dynamic and respected law firm.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including performance-based rewards.
• Real opportunity to influence and shape a new practice area.
• Supportive, collegiate environment with excellent career progression prospects.
• Access to high-profile and technically challenging work across NI, ROI, and GB markets.

To apply, please submit your CV or contact Alan Braithwaite for more information.