Strategic Lawyer Leader - Planning, Highways & Licensing

RBKC Careers; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

RBKC Careers invites a Principal Lawyer (Planning Highways and Licensing) to lead a specialist legal team delivering robust planning, highways and licensing guidance across two central London authorities. You’ll oversee complex matters, shape policy, and support senior officers and councillors with clear, practical legal advice.

The role requires a qualified solicitor or barrister with strong leadership, political awareness, and a commitment to inclusive service delivery in a fast-paced local

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister authorised to practise in England and Wales.
• Extensive experience in planning and highways or licensing law.
• Experience leading a legal team.
• Strong stakeholder management and political awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of around ten legal professionals, ensuring high-quality legal advice.
• Personally handle a caseload of complex planning matters and knowledge of highways or licensing law.
• Advise senior officers and elected members on significant decisions affecting the borough.
• Attend committee meetings and provide legal, procedural and governance guidance to ensure decisions are sound.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Legal advice

Planning law

Highways law

Licensing law

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Job description

RBKC Careers invites a Principal Lawyer (Planning Highways and Licensing) to lead a specialist legal team delivering robust planning, highways and licensing guidance across two central London authorities. You’ll oversee complex matters, shape policy, and support senior officers and councillors with clear, practical legal advice.

The role requires a qualified solicitor or barrister with strong leadership, political awareness, and a commitment to inclusive service delivery in a fast-paced local