Senior Lawyer (Planning)

Torbay Council; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local government authority in the UK is seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to join its Legal Services Team. The role involves managing a diverse planning caseload while supporting the council's ambitious transformation journey. Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years PQE in planning law and the ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment. This position offers a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a supportive working culture focused on personal and professional growth.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible hours

Learning and development opportunities

Family friendly policies

Lifestyle discounts and health benefits

Generous salary with market supplement

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in planning law.
• Ability to handle a fast-paced and varied caseload.
• Strong communication skills for interaction with team and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Senior Lawyer supporting property caseload.
• Attending essential meetings and court appearances as required.
• Contribute to the legal services transformation journey.

Skills

Public or private sector experience

Planning law expertise

Professional curiosity

Team leadership qualities

Education

Qualified lawyer with at least 3 years PQE

Job description

Overview

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

No two days in Torbay are ever the same!

Torbay is breath-taking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and the council’s own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area’s profile and many assets.

As a small unitary authority, you’ll discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition - which is clearly evident by our recent success in being awarded the ‘Most Improved Council’ at last year’s LGC Awards. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.

To complement this journey, we are now seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to join our Legal Services Team to support our property caseload. This varied role provides a platform to be actively involved, supporting key agendas pertinent to the investment and prosperity of Torbay, its residents, businesses and wider communities. No two days will be the same, for which those already working within local government will attest to and actively thrive upon.

Responsibilities

Undertaking the role of a Senior Lawyer, you will be a suitably qualified professional across either the public or private sector, with at least 3yrs PQE; excited by a fast-paced and varied planning caseload, conscientious, professionally curious and a role model to other team members. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed. At Torbay Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from our people, and we are excited for you to join us.

We also understand the importance of an effective work-life balance, therefore offer an enviable hybrid working approach. This is managed effectively around the need to attend essential meetings and/or make court appearances in line with the remit of the role.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of their ambitious transformation journey.

Benefits

• A generous salary.
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• A Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions.
• A great working environment with flexible hours.
• Family friendly policies.
• A wide range of lifestyle discounts and health and wellbeing benefits.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive management and team structure.
• Salary includes a market supplement of £8,000 p/a.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-planning-1/

For an informal chat please contact Ian Goldsmith on 01803207157 or [e-mail].

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.