Planning Senior Associate

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Flexible working arrangements

Strong training and wellbeing focus

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking a Planning Senior Associate to join a growing, multi-disciplinary planning and environment team at a leading UK law firm in London. You will handle varied planning matters from inception to delivery, including Section 106, highways, and due diligence.

The role also covers contentious matters, including inquiries and judicial reviews, with opportunities in large regeneration projects.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)
• 4–8 years’ PQE in planning law
• Strong technical knowledge of planning and highways law
• Experience with Section 106 and statutory agreements
• Exposure to contentious planning work and judicial reviews
• Excellent drafting, communication, and client relationship skills
• Commercial, pragmatic approach and ability to manage multiple matters

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 agreements
• Advising on highways and related statutory agreements
• Supporting property and corporate transactions (due diligence)
• Handling contentious planning matters, including inquiries and hearings
• Advising on court challenges and judicial reviews
• Working on large-scale development and regeneration projects
• Collaborating with lawyers, consultants, and advocates
• Managing your own caseload and contributing to business development

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Client relations

Communication

Multi-tasking

Job description

Planning Senior Associate

Location: London
PQE: 4–8 years
Salary: £65,000 – £90,000 + bonus

Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Planning Senior Associate to join a growing, multi-disciplinary planning and environment team at a leading UK law firm. The team operates nationally and advises across a wide range of development sectors.

The Role

You will work on varied planning matters, providing practical, commercial advice from project inception through to delivery. Responsibilities include:

• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 agreements
• Advising on highways and related statutory agreements
• Supporting property and corporate transactions (due diligence)
• Handling contentious planning matters, including inquiries and hearings
• Advising on court challenges and judicial reviews
• Working on large-scale development and regeneration projects
• Collaborating with lawyers, consultants, and advocates
• Managing your own caseload and contributing to business development

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)
• 4–8 years’ PQE in planning law
• Strong technical knowledge of planning and highways law
• Experience with Section 106 and statutory agreements
• Exposure to contentious planning work and judicial reviews
• Excellent drafting, communication, and client relationship skills
• Commercial, pragmatic approach and ability to manage multiple matters

Desirable: experience across multiple sectors (e.g. residential, infrastructure, energy) and involvement in large regeneration projects.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and bonus
• Clear progression opportunities
• High-quality, varied work across multiple sectors
• Supportive, collaborative environment
• Flexible working arrangements
• Strong focus on training, development, and wellbeing