Planning Principal Associate

IDEX Consulting; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national law firm in Birmingham is seeking a Principal Planning Solicitor, offering a platform for senior-level professionals to engage with top-tier clients on significant development projects. The firm emphasizes work-life balance, hybrid arrangements, and a strong commitment to diversity and career progression. Ideal candidates will have planning law expertise, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and a collaborative mindset.

Benefits

Top-tier legal work

Hybrid working and flexible arrangements

Excellent salary and bonus structure

Market-leading benefits package

3-month sabbatical options

Qualifications

• Strong experience in planning law from a reputable private practice or public sector body.
• Expertise in planning agreements, CPO, DCO, planning appeals and judicial reviews.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and meet client deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Advise on complex planning matters including planning applications and development consent orders.
• Work with high-profile clients in commercial and residential sectors.
• Mentor Junior Lawyers and contribute to business development.

Skills

Planning law expertise

Excellent drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Client engagement

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

A leading national practice is seeking a Principal Planning Solicitor to join it's highly ranked team in Birmingham. This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior-level Solicitor with strong planning experience to work on nationally significant development and infrastructure projects, within a supportive, forward-thinking law firm offering genuine work-life balance and career progression.

The opportunity:

As a Principal Planning Solicitor, you will:

• Advise on complex planning matters including planning applications, development consent orders (DCOs), compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), infrastructure agreements and planning litigation
• Work with high-profile clients in commercial development, residential-led strategic land and national infrastructure sectors
• Represent both public and private sector clients, including developers, housebuilders, local authorities and national agencies
• Provide commercially focused advice with an emphasis on strategic solutions
• Play a key role in mentoring Junior Lawyers, contributing to business development and supporting client training initiatives

Key requirements:

We're looking to speak to a qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with:

• Strong experience in planning law from a reputable private practice or public sector body
• Expertise in planning agreements, CPO, DCO, planning appeals and judicial reviews
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• The ability to manage complex caseloads and meet client deadlines
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for team development and client engagement

Why apply?

This role offers an ideal platform for a Senior Planning Solicitor looking to step up into a Principal Associate position or make a lateral move to a firm that offers:

• Top-tier legal work with nationally recognised clients and projects
• Hybrid working and flexible arrangements (2-3 days office presence)
• Excellent salary and bonus structure
• Market-leading benefits package, including options to take a 3-months sabbatical
• Recognition as one of the UK's best law firms to work for with a strong emphasis on diversity, wellbeing and career progression

If you wish to apply for the position of Principal Planning Solicitor, please contact Ellie Sedgewick.

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At IDEX, we strive for an inclusion-first company culture where everyone is treated fairly and can bring their authentic selves to work. We recognise and acknowledge that diverse representation at every level of our business requires continuous and measurable effort. We are committed to driving conscious inclusion across our business and creating equitable pathways.