Senior Associate / Legal Director – Planning (5+ PQE) – Exeter

Overview

Join a Legal 500-ranked Planning & Infrastructure team within a leading UK Top 100 law firm to drive high-value planning work. You will manage a diverse caseload across residential, energy, and infrastructure matters, collaborating with partners on complex projects. The role combines technical planning expertise with proactive client and stakeholder engagement. You will operate in a growth-minded, supportive environment focused on development and career progression. This is an opportunity to shape strategic developments and contribute to major regional projects from Exeter.

Pay / Benefits

• exeter office location with free on-site parking
• wellbeing, flexibility, community engagement, and work-life balance
• professional development, networking and business development opportunities
• collaborative and supportive culture
• modern and forward-thinking approach to legal services and innovation

Responsibilities

• Advise on strategic residential and mixed-use developments
• Work on energy and infrastructure projects and related planning agreements
• Handle Community Infrastructure Levy matters and highways planning issues
• Manage enforcement, contentious planning matters, and judicial reviews
• Oversee compulsory purchase matters and planning support for property transactions
• Manage own caseload with oversight from partners on high-value projects

Key requirements

• Qualified Solicitor with at least 5 years’ PQE in planning law
• Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of planning matters
• Experience in a national, regional, or city law firm
• Exposure to residential development and/or energy sector matters advised
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management
• Commercially minded with drafting and organizational strengths
• Capable of managing competing deadlines and working autonomously
• Ambitious with an interest in business development

• Client relationship management
• Stakeholder management
• Autonomy and proactivity
• Planning law expertise across residential, energy, and infrastructure
• Drafting of planning-related documents and agreements
• Knowledge of CIL, enforcement, and judicial review processes

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