Planning Associate

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in Exeter seeks a Planning Associate to join their expanding national Planning team. The role involves major regeneration projects and high-profile cultural schemes, offering a competitive salary package and structured career development. You'll need strong technical skills, a meticulous eye for detail, and the ability to think commercially. Join a forward-thinking team that values diversity and collaboration.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Bonus scheme

Structured career development

Generous holiday

Enhanced parental leave

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong technical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage files and take responsibility.
• Commercial and strategic thinking essential.
• Client-focused approach required.
• Ability to thrive in collaborative environments.

Responsibilities

• Get involved in major regeneration projects.
• Work on high-profile cultural and infrastructure schemes.
• Advise on planning agreements and due diligence.
• Handle complex applications and appeals.

Skills

Strong technical skills

Meticulous eye for detail

Commercial and strategic thinking

Client-focused

Collaborative skills

Education

Planning Solicitor qualification (up to 5 years PQE)

Job description

Overview

Planning Associate - Exeter

Up to £83,000 DOE | Hybrid (2 days in the office)

Are you looking for a role where your work genuinely shapes communities, drives regeneration and makes a visible impact? This is your chance to join a leading international firm with a reputation for delivering high-profile, complex and career-defining planning projects.

Why This Firm?

This isn't just another law firm. You'll be joining a business with:

• A reputation for excellence - consistently recognised for leading practices across Corporate, Real Estate, Finance, Litigation and Private Wealth, giving you a platform to build a career at the very top.
• A truly open structure - no work is "guarded" by one office; teams work seamlessly across locations, giving you exposure to a huge variety of matters.
• An international outlook - with offices across the UK, Middle East and Asia, you'll be part of cross-border projects that make a global impact.
• A culture that backs you - individuality is celebrated, talent is nurtured and you'll be part of a genuinely supportive environment where people enjoy working together.

The Work You Will Be Part Of

You'll join a national Planning team that has grown significantly in recent years and is continuing to expand. Expect to get involved in:

• Major regeneration projects delivering thousands of new homes and mixed-use developments.
• High-profile cultural and infrastructure schemes (think museums, energy projects and landmark public developments).
• Advising on everything from Section 106 agreements to enforcement, CPO work and planning due diligence.
• From complex applications to appeals and environmental matters, you'll be working on instructions that are watched closely across the sector.

About You

We are looking for a Planning Solicitor (up to 5 years PQE) who:

• Brings strong technical skills and a meticulous eye for detail.
• Has the confidence to manage files and run with responsibility.
• Thinks commercially and strategically.
• Is client-focused and thrives in collaborative, cross-team environments.

What Is in It for You

• Competitive salary package & bonus scheme.
• Structured career development - a clear framework to progress, with mentoring and training from sector leaders.
• Exceptional benefits including generous holiday, enhanced parental leave, health and wellbeing initiatives, and more.
• The chance to work on projects that shape places and communities - with your name attached to nationally recognised work.

This is more than just another Associate role. It's an opportunity to grow your career with a forward-thinking, people-first law firm, while making a tangible impact on the future.

Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.

*Please note, whilst we do our best to contact all candidates, due to the high number of applications we receive we cannot guarantee this for every role. If you have not heard anything from us within 7 days of applying - then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful. Please keep an eye on our website for more opportunities.