Senior Planning & Highways Lawyer - Hybrid

Connect Executive Search Group; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Executive Search Group is seeking an experienced Principal Lawyer specializing in planning and highways to join a public-sector legal team on a permanent basis. The role offers hybrid working, with most work done remotely and limited days in Huddersfield town centre.

You will provide specialist legal advice across planning and highways matters, supporting inquiries, enforcement, and environmental issues while guiding officers and elected members and helping develop the team.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior-level experience in planning law, highways law, or both, in England and Wales.
• Strong drafting, advisory and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex legal matters and provide clear, practical advice.
• Confidence to work with senior stakeholders and contribute to team development.
• Willingness to broaden expertise into public rights of way and local government law.
• Local government experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Advising on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements.
• Providing legal advice on planning and highways matters.
• Supporting public inquiries and enforcement proceedings.
• Advising on public law and environmental matters.
• Providing guidance to officers and elected members.
• Supporting the development of the legal team and service improvements.
• Developing expertise across public rights of way and wider local government matters.

Skills

Legal drafting

Advisory skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Solicitor with practising certificate

Barrister

CILEx Fellow

Job description

Connect Executive Search Group is seeking an experienced Principal Lawyer specializing in planning and highways to join a public-sector legal team on a permanent basis. The role offers hybrid working, with most work done remotely and limited days in Huddersfield town centre.

You will provide specialist legal advice across planning and highways matters, supporting inquiries, enforcement, and environmental issues while guiding officers and elected members and helping develop the team.