Planning Associate - #2154846

Planning Associate – Manchester

I am working with a top-tier international law firm on an opportunity for a Planning Associate with 3+ PQE to join its highly regarded national Planning team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Planning lawyer looking to work on major development, energy and infrastructure projects, whilst having the backing of a large international firm and a genuinely strong regional platform.

The role can be based in Manchester, Sheffield or Liverpool, with the wider Planning team operating on a UK-wide basis.

The opportunity

The Planning team is Band 1 Legal 500 ranked and works on some of the highest-profile development and infrastructure projects across the UK.

The team has particular strength in energy and infrastructure, alongside major development work and advises on a broad range of complex planning matters including:

• Development Consent Orders (DCOs)
• Compulsory purchase and compensation
• Major planning applications and appeals
• Energy and infrastructure projects
• EIA and HRA
• Public inquiries
• Highways matters
• Judicial review
• Planning agreements
• Marine licensing
• Asset protection
• Planning aspects of major Real Estate and infrastructure transactions

The role will also involve working closely with colleagues across Real Estate, Energy & Infrastructure, Construction and other specialist teams, giving you exposure to large, multi-disciplinary projects rather than purely standalone planning work.

Why this opportunity?

The firm has a well-established UK-wide presence, with particularly strong regional offices in Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool.

The Sheffield office has a long-established Planning practice with a strong reputation for work across infrastructure, renewable energy, regeneration and major development.

The Manchester team benefits from a particularly strong wider Real Estate, Energy, Infrastructure and Construction offering, providing plenty of opportunity for cross-referral and collaborative work.

The Liverpool office also provides access to a growing regional platform, with a strong Real Estate practice acting on major development and regeneration projects.

For someone currently working in a strong regional or national Planning team, this could offer the opportunity to step into larger-scale and more complex work, whilst remaining outside London.

About you

The team is keen to speak with Planning Solicitors at 3+ PQE who have developed their experience within a recognised Planning practice.

Your background could include:

• Development planning
• Energy or infrastructure
• DCOs/NSIPs
• CPO and compensation
• Planning applications and appeals
• Environmental and highways matters
• Planning agreements
• Planning litigation/judicial review

You don't need experience across every area. The key is a strong technical grounding in Planning, genuine enthusiasm for the work and an ambition to continue developing within a leading national practice.

The team is also keen to find someone who is commercially minded and interested in developing client relationships and contributing to the continued growth of the practice.

What's on offer?

• Opportunity to join a Band 1 Legal 500 Planning team
• High-profile development, energy and infrastructure work
• Strong partner access and responsibility from an early stage
• Excellent cross-practice exposure
• National platform with established regional offices
• Genuine career progression within a leading international firm
• Competitive salary and bonus
• Flexible hybrid working
• Manchester, Sheffield or Liverpool location

If you're a Planning lawyer who is open to hearing about the market, I'd be happy to have a confidential conversation and give you more information on the team and opportunity.

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