Planning Legal Director

Gateley Legal; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in the UK is seeking a Planning Legal Director to join their Manchester office. This hands-on role offers growth potential, focusing on town and country planning, highways, and infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, develop their career, and engage in business development activities. Competitive pay and extensive training are offered in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Bonuses

Extensive training

Flexible benefits

Supportive culture

Qualifications

• Experience in town and country planning, highways, compulsory purchase, and DCO infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop scope of work for planning projects.
• Advise on planning applications and legal challenges.
• Involved in business development and networking.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Team management

Proactive attitude

Professionalism

Education

Solicitor with at least 8 years' PQE

Job description

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About The Role

Gateley has a rare opportunity for a Legal Director to join its northern region in either the Manchester or Leeds office. This is a hands-on role with growth potential, helping develop the scope of work for a range of projects in town and country planning, highways, compulsory purchase, planning litigation, enforcement, DCO, and infrastructure matters (including compensation).

For example:

• We act for eighteen of the UK's biggest housebuilders (including Taylor Wimpey, Lovell, Vistry, and Barratt) on strategic schemes in London and the Southeast, ranging from 30 to 3,000 units, including garden villages.
• We are building our DCO practice, advising on the Lower Thames Crossing DCO, handling consultations, legal advice, negotiations, and Land & Works Agreements.
• We advise developers on planning applications, legal challenges, and enforcement matters.

At Gateley, you'll have access to extensive training in planning and environmental law and opportunities to train others through seminars for clients and contacts.

You will work closely with our National Head of Planning, Karen Howard, Matthew Scudamore, and Robert Waite to develop your career to Partner level. You’ll also be involved in business development and networking in the Northwest and Yorkshire.

Our Team

The Planning Unit comprises 11 specialists based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Guildford, and Nottingham, handling planning obligations, appeals, and related advisory work, including compulsory purchase, heritage law, environmental assessment, and more.

The Person

This role is suitable for a solicitor with at least 8 years' PQE, with a focus on town and country planning, highways, compulsory purchase, and ideally DCO infrastructure projects (training available).

We seek candidates with:

• Drive, commitment, and a proactive attitude
• Discretion and professionalism
• Leadership and team management skills
• Commercial acumen
• A positive attitude

About Us

Gateley offers competitive pay, bonuses, extensive training, flexible benefits, and a supportive culture rooted in shared values such as ambition, forward thinking, trust, and teamwork. We promote diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, and are proud to be recognized by The Law Society and Stonewall for our efforts.

Additional Information

Successful candidates will undergo pre-employment screening, including work eligibility, qualifications, criminal records, financial stability, and references.

Other Details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Professional Services