Senior Associate, Planning & Major Projects

Shakespeare Martineau; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile working

Blended working

Job summary

Shakespeare Martineau is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its national Legal Planning Team in Birmingham. You will lead complex planning and development matters, draft and negotiate Section 106 agreements, and advise on high‑value issues for a diverse client base including developers and authorities.

You will work with multidisciplinary planners to deliver integrated services, supervise junior staff, and contribute to growing the practice’s national reputation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in planning law in public, private or mixed practice.
• Experience leading planning strategy for major residential, mixed‑use or infrastructure projects.
• Strong drafting and negotiating experience on Section 106 and compulsory purchase matters.
• Excellent drafting with a commercial, solutions‑focused approach.
• Experience handling contentious matters such as appeals, inquiries, enforcement or JR.
• Proactive, collaborative approach to client management and practice growth.
• Desire to contribute to the continued evolution of a leading planning team.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex planning, development and infrastructure matters.
• Draft, negotiate and oversee Section 106 agreements for major schemes.
• Advise developers, landowners, housebuilders and authorities on sensitive planning issues.
• Manage contentious work including enforcement, appeals and judicial review.
• Collaborate with planning, heritage and architecture teams to deliver integrated service.
• Supervise and mentor junior colleagues as the team expands.
• Contribute to business development and developing new opportunities.

Skills

Planning law experience

106 / planning agreements

Advisory & negotiation

Team leadership

Business development

Job description

Shakespeare Martineau is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its national Legal Planning Team in Birmingham. You will lead complex planning and development matters, draft and negotiate Section 106 agreements, and advise on high‑value issues for a diverse client base including developers and authorities.

You will work with multidisciplinary planners to deliver integrated services, supervise junior staff, and contribute to growing the practice’s national reputation.