Planning Senior Associate or Managing Associa

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Career progression

Supportive culture

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is supporting a national UK law firm recruiting a Planning Senior Associate or Managing Associate in Manchester. The role offers £75,000 to £105,000 plus bonus and benefits, with 3–8 years' PQE and involvement in a broad spectrum of development work.

You will join a Planning and Environment team, advising on live projects, supporting growth, and providing pragmatic commercial guidance across multiple sectors from concept to delivery. Flexible working is available.

Qualifications

• Planning law experience (3–8 PQE) and ability to advise on planning issues.
• Experience drafting/negotiating Section 106 and highways agreements.
• Experience supporting due diligence in property or corporate transactions.
• Comfort with contentious planning work (inquiries/hearings and JR).
• Desirable experience with DCOs or large regeneration schemes.
• Strong commercial awareness and practical, solutions-led approach.
• Collaborative style and commitment to high client service standards.

Responsibilities

• Advising on planning and associated law with clear, commercial guidance.
• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 and highways agreements.
• Supporting due diligence for property and corporate transactions.
• Advising on contentious planning matters, including inquiries/hearings and judicial reviews.
• Contributing to business development and supporting team growth.

Skills

Planning law

Section 106 agreements

Highways and statutory agreements

Due diligence

Contentious planning matters

DCOs and regeneration schemes

Commercial awareness

Client service

Job description

Planning Senior Associate or Managing Associate

Location: Manchester

Salary: £75,000 to £105,000 plus bonus and benefits

Experience: Ideally 3 to 8 years' PQE

If you're a planning lawyer who enjoys being close to live development work, giving clear commercial advice, and helping projects move from concept to delivery, this is a strong opportunity to join a growing national team with real momentum.

Our client is a national UK law firm with an excellent reputation and client base. They are modern and forward-thinking in their approach to work, with a supportive culture and flexible working.

You'll join a multi-disciplinary Planning and Environment group, supporting clients across a wide range of development sectors. The team is expanding due to growth in instructions, and this hire will play a key role in supporting that continued expansion.

What You'll Be Doing

• Advising on planning and associated law, providing clear, pragmatic and commercial guidance
• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 agreements
• Advising on highways and other statutory agreements
• Supporting due diligence for property and corporate transactions
• Advising on contentious planning matters, including inquiries/hearings and court challenges/judicial reviews
• Supporting wider team growth through strong client service and contribution to business development

What We're Looking For

• Ideally 3 to 8 years' PQE with directly relevant planning experience
• Experience of Section 106 agreements and highways/statutory agreements
• Experience supporting transactional due diligence (property and/or corporate)
• Comfortable advising on contentious planning work (inquiries/hearings and court challenges/judicial reviews)
• Experience in DCOs and/or large regeneration schemes is desirable
• Strong commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-led approach
• A collaborative style and commitment to high standards of client service

What's On Offer

• High-quality work across multiple development sectors
• A team in growth mode with clear progression opportunities
• Supportive culture with flexible working
• Salary £75,000 to £105,000 plus bonus and benefits (dependent on level and experience)

Working Arrangements

• Manchester-based role
• Flexible working approach, with details to be confirmed at interview

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