Principal Planning Lawyer

Following a recent reorganisation, exciting opportunities have arisen within the Legal services for a dedicated, enthusiastic Principal Planning Lawyer. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for public service, this could be your next career step.

Main duties of the job

We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic legal professional to join our high-performing in-house team as a Principal Lawyer in the planning legal team which will include the following duties:

• Assist in leading the delivery of the service within the area of responsibility of the post and manage, influence and direct employees, in accordance with the Council’s policies and procedures and performance management framework to achieve service and corporate objectives.
• Manage and monitor all aspects of the respective service area’s performance against agreed targets, ensuring the achievement of appropriate standards.
• Report to the Head of Legal as required on levels of performance and action plans for improvement.
• Ensure provision of appropriate, intelligent, relevant and timely advice, guidance and information to senior officers and elected members, in accordance with designated service responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with client departments ensuring that client liaison meetings are carried out regularly and any service delivery issues are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Evaluate information from client departments, forward plans, and legislative changes to steer service delivery appropriately.
• Contribute to budget and target setting, ensure effective financial performance in the areas of responsibility within the remit of the role and support the effective financial management of the Council.
• Actively consider new and innovative ways of delivering services that provide high quality and good value for money, support and contribute to delivery of the Council’s wider corporate plan.
• Provide positive leadership, leading by example, acting with the highest levels of integrity and instilling a clear sense of purpose, priority and direction whilst motivating, empowering and training your team to optimise their skills and performance.
• Deputise for the Head of Legal and act as an advocate on behalf of the Council where appropriate, in relevant Courts, tribunals and inquiries and instruct Counsel to represent the Council as necessary.
• Scrutinise, comment on and prepare legal implications for reports to the Council and its committees and sub committees.
• To attend relevant committees, sub committees and other meetings to provide legal advice as required.
• To work in a corporate, collaborative and co-operative way both within Law and Governance and with Senior Council Managers and Members.
• To carry out duties elsewhere in Law and Governance commensurate with the grading of the post as may be directed.

Working for our organisation

You will be working within the legal services department responsible for managing a team dealing with all aspects of housing litigation, associated advice and disputes. 

For an informal discussion about this post please contact [email removed]