Principal Lawyer: Planning, Highways & Property Leader

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working (where app

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Employee assistance programme and well

Staff discounts and local offers

Supportive and inclusive working env

Job summary

Thurrock Council seeks a Principal Lawyer to lead the Planning, Highways and Property team, shaping strategy and delivering high-quality legal guidance for major projects.

You will develop professionals, foster a positive culture, and build resilient teams while advising senior officers and elected Members on pivotal issues. A strong focus on succession planning and wellbeing is central to the role.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive authorised to practise in England and Wales.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills are essential.
• Experience in planning, highways, property or related local government law is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary legal team and develop high performing teams.
• Provide strategic legal advice on planning, highways, property and regeneration matters for major projects.
• Advise senior officers and elected Members on significant issues and support organisational transformation.
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues to build capability and future leaders.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Strategic legal advice

Planning law experience

Regeneration experience

Education

Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive (England & Wales)

Job description

Thurrock Council seeks a Principal Lawyer to lead the Planning, Highways and Property team, shaping strategy and delivering high-quality legal guidance for major projects.

You will develop professionals, foster a positive culture, and build resilient teams while advising senior officers and elected Members on pivotal issues. A strong focus on succession planning and wellbeing is central to the role.