Principal Lawyer - Planning and Regeneration

Milton Keynes; Barry, Portsmouth, Lewes, Milton Keynes, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Lawyer in Planning and Regeneration to lead a dynamic legal team. This pivotal role involves overseeing legal matters related to planning and regeneration, ensuring compliance with legislation, and managing complex caseloads. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in local government law and demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. Join a forward-thinking organization that values collaboration and diversity, and make a meaningful impact on the community. This role offers competitive compensation and a range of attractive benefits, including a generous holiday policy and pension scheme.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity support

Health cash plan

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Discounts via Blue Light Card

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Planning and Regeneration legal matters.
• Ability to manage complex legal caseloads effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead a legal team in Planning and Regeneration.
• Provide legal expertise to support Council's business objectives.
• Manage team budget and external legal costs.

Skills

Legal Expertise in Planning

Drafting Skills

Legislation Knowledge

Research Skills

Team Management

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Job description

Vacancies Principal Lawyer - Planning and Regeneration

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional individual to join us as:

Principal Lawyer – Planning and Regeneration– Place (Grade L £64,855 - £69,733)

This is an important role that offers an excellent opportunity for a versatile legal professional who can work at pace, to lead our Place legal team.

Our team of lawyers deal with Planning, Regeneration, Property, Highways and other related legal matters. We’re looking for a dynamic, experienced and highly organised leader who can make a real difference to the community to join us.

You’ll be part of a wider corporate strategy to shape the continued improvement and development of Milton Keynes, through involvement in major council plans and projects designed to build on existing socio-economic strengths, tackle challenges and develop transformational policies.

You’ll assist the Head of Legal – Commercial and Place and Deputy Monitoring Officer, by deputising when required and where appropriate, contributing and overseeing all aspects of the delivery of the Planning and Regeneration legal team’s work. You’ll also assist them to carry out the legal, governance and budgetary responsibilities relating to their area of legal services, as well as work closely with heads of service to provide professional advice on legal, constitutional and corporate governance issues.

Milton Keynes has one of the fastest growing economies in the country and an ambitious growth agenda, so you’ll need to be commercially aware with an appetite for being busy and the ability to juggle competing priorities. You’ll ideally have a track record of enabling the delivery of council priorities.

This role is may suitable for Home Working, following an assessment. - Home Working will require site attendance minimum of one day per week.

Interviews for this role will be held W/C 26th May 2025

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main Responsibility

• Lead a legal team in Planning and Regeneration and related areas of law
• Delegate and supervise to ensure quality and timely work.
• Provide legal expertise to support Council's business objectives.
• Manage complex legal caseloads.
• Oversee team delivery and champion continuous improvement.
• Manage team budget and external legal costs.
• Ensure value for money in external services.
• Mentor junior team members.
• Collaborate with clients for effective service delivery.
• Be part of the Management Team, upholding Council's values.
• Serve as legal adviser at key meetings.

For more in-depth information, please refer to the attached Job Profile.

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives with relevant experience.
• Proven drafting skills for legal, transactional, and formal documentation.
• Significant experience with legislation in Planning, Regeneration, and Compulsory Purchase.
• Expert knowledge of local government law, especially in Planning and Regeneration.
• Ability to handle high-risk cases affecting Council's reputation or finances.
• Aptitude for managing and motivating staff, ensuring quality, timeliness, and volume of work.
• Strong research skills in complex areas of law, presenting clear advice to clients.

For more in-depth information, please refer to the attached Job Profile.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32days after five years.In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week.Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.

Principal Lawyer - Planning and Regeneration

• Frequency Annual
• Job Reference mkc/TP/237/1667
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 18 May, 2025
• Job Category Legal
• Business Unit Law & Governance- Legal
• Location Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Milton Keynes City Council l Civic l 1 Saxon Gate East l Central Milton Keynes l MK9 3EJ