Planning Managing Associate Lawyer

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Pension with matched contributions

Life assurance

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking a Planning Lawyer (Associate/Managing Associate) in Leeds with 4–8 years’ PQE to advise on planning, infrastructure and highways law for major development, energy and transport projects. Hybrid working, strong progression, and ownership of workstreams are key features.

You will join a national team, supervise junior colleagues, and deepen client relationships while shaping sector-leading matters across DCOs, land assembly, and regulatory interfaces.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales) with 4 to 8 years’ PQE in Planning & Infrastructure Consenting.
• Significant experience advising on infrastructure, energy, utilities and/or major development projects.
• Experience advising on Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and other regimes.
• Strong capability in town and country planning matters, highways law and infrastructure agreements.
• Ability to manage substantial drafting and advisory responsibilities with independence.
• Experience advising on protective provisions, asset protection agreements, access arrangements and regulatory interfaces.
• Strong understanding of local government law, statutory powers and public authority decision-making processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex transactions and projects, delivering high-quality work to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Advising on planning, infrastructure and highways law in major development, energy, transport and utilities projects.
• Leading and supporting Development Consent Orders for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and other regimes.
• Advising on compulsory purchase, land assembly, statutory powers and related implementation matters.
• Managing day-to-day client relationships, taking ownership of deliverables, transaction management and matter progression.
• Working directly with senior lawyers on nationally significant and market-shaping mandates.
• Supervising junior team members and supporting their development.
• Developing expertise across front-end advisory work and contentious or challenge-related matters.

Skills

Planning law

Infrastructure law

Client management

Team leadership

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

Planning Lawyer (Associate / Managing Associate)

Location: Leeds (hybrid working)

Salary: £75,000 to £105,000 (dependent on experience)

Experience: 4 to 8 years’ PQE (Planning & Infrastructure Consenting)

If you’re a Planning and Infrastructure Consenting lawyer who wants to work on nationally significant projects, take real ownership of workstreams, and build a long-term leadership path, this is a key strategic hire within a market-leading national team.

This role offers exposure to major infrastructure, energy, transport, utilities and regeneration matters, with the chance to deepen client relationships, supervise junior colleagues, and develop your external market profile. You’ll be based in Leeds, working as part of a collaborative national practice.

Our client is hiring in response to sustained growth in demand across all project sectors. The team advises on planning, infrastructure and public law issues that sit at the heart of complex projects, and works closely with colleagues across real estate, construction, environment, procurement, finance and corporate to provide joined-up advice across the full project lifecycle.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising on planning, infrastructure and highways law in relation to major development, energy, transport and utilities projects

• Supporting and, where appropriate, leading workstreams on Development Consent Orders (DCOs) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and other strategic consenting regimes

• Advising on compulsory purchase, land assembly, statutory powers and related implementation matters

• Managing day-to-day client relationships, taking ownership of deliverables, transaction management and matter progression

• Working directly with senior lawyers on nationally significant and market-shaping mandates

• Supervising junior team members and supporting their development

• Developing expertise across front-end advisory work and contentious or challenge-related matters, while building sector-specific specialisms

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales) with 4 to 8 years’ PQE (or equivalent) in Planning & Infrastructure Consenting

• Significant experience advising on infrastructure, energy, utilities and/or major development projects

• Experience advising on one or more of: Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs) and other major infrastructure consenting regimes

• Strong capability in town and country planning matters, highways law and infrastructure agreements (or closely related areas)

• Ability to manage substantial drafting and advisory responsibilities on complex matters with appropriate independence

• Experience advising on protective provisions, asset protection agreements, access arrangements, operational matters and regulatory interfaces affecting infrastructure operators

• Strong understanding of local government law, statutory powers and public authority decision‑making processes

• Proven ability to manage complex transactions and projects, delivering high-quality work to deadlines

What’s On Offer

• Hybrid working (typically 2 days from home per week, depending on role and location)

• Competitive financial package, including discretionary bonus (performance dependent)

• Private medical insurance, with options to upgrade and add family cover

• Pension with matched employer contributions (up to 5%)

• Life assurance (4x salary) and income protection cover

• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 27 with service, plus the option to buy or sell up to one week per year

• Sabbatical leave options (subject to eligibility)

• Health and wellbeing support, including 24/7 employee assistance programme and counselling

• Wellbeing subsidy towards gym, sports membership or wellbeing apps

• Cycle to Work scheme and interest‑free season ticket loan

• CSR day for volunteering (1 day per year) and payroll giving scheme

• Discounts and rewards portal, plus peer and manager recognition schemes

Working Arrangements

Full-time, permanent role based in Leeds, with hybrid working typically 2 days from home per week (depending on role and location).

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.