Senior Associate / Legal Director – Planning (5+ PQE) – Exeter – Exeter

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chadwick Nott is seeking a Senior Associate or Legal Director in Planning to join a leading planning and infrastructure team in Exeter. The role offers significant responsibility from day one, handling a diverse caseload across residential development, energy projects and strategic planning matters.

You will work closely with partners on high-value matters for a national and regional client base, with opportunities for client relationships and business development.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with at least 5 years’ PQE in planning law.
• Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of planning matters.
• Experience gained within a national, regional or city law firm environment.
• Ideally some exposure to residential development and/or energy sector matters.
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially minded with strong drafting and organisational abilities.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and work autonomously.
• Ambitious and motivated with an interest in business development.

Responsibilities

• Handle strategic residential and mixed-use developments.
• Advise on energy and infrastructure projects.
• Negotiate planning agreements and obligations.
• Manage Community Infrastructure Levy matters.
• Address highways and transport-related planning issues.
• Handle lawful development certificates.
• Manage enforcement, contentious planning matters.
• Oversee judicial reviews, statutory challenges and appeals.
• Navigate compulsory purchase matters.
• Provide planning support on property acquisitions and disposals.

Skills

Planning law

Client relationship management

Autonomy

Commercial drafting

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Senior Associate / Legal Director – Planning (5+ PQE) – Exeter

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented Planning Solicitor (Senior Associate or Legal Director level) to join a highly regarded Planning & Infrastructure team within a leading UK Top 100 law firm.

This Legal 500-ranked team is involved in some of the South West’s most significant development, infrastructure and renewable energy projects, advising a broad client base that includes national and regional housebuilders, land promoters, energy developers and local authorities.

You’ll work on a diverse range of planning matters, including:

• Strategic residential and mixed-use developments
• Energy and infrastructure projects
• Planning agreements and obligations
• Community Infrastructure Levy matters
• Highways and transport-related planning issues
• Lawful development certificates
• Enforcement and contentious planning matters
• Judicial reviews, statutory challenges and appeals
• Compulsory purchase matters
• Planning support on property acquisitions and disposals

This role offers genuine responsibility from day one, with the opportunity to manage your own caseload whilst working closely with highly respected partners and colleagues on complex, high-value projects.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor with at least 5 years’ PQE in planning law
• Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of planning matters
• Experience gained within a national, regional or city law firm environment
• Ideally some exposure to residential development and/or energy sector matters
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially minded with strong drafting and organisational abilities
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and work autonomously
• Ambitious and motivated with an interest in business development

Why Join?

• Join a leading Top 100 UK law firm with a strong national reputation
• Be part of a Legal 500-recognised Planning & Infrastructure team
• Work on some of the region’s most significant development and renewable energy projects
• Strong focus on professional development, networking and business development opportunities
• Collaborative and supportive culture with an emphasis on career growth
• Modern and forward-thinking approach to legal services and innovation
• Excellent Exeter office location with easy access for commuters and free on-site parking
• Strong commitment to wellbeing, flexibility, community engagement and work-life balance

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious planning lawyer looking to take the next step in their career with a firm that combines high-quality work, genuine progression opportunities and an outstanding working environment.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*

Job Tenure: Permanent and Full-Time
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Exeter, Devon