Overview

Southwark Council is seeking a visionary Head of Property & Planning to lead a powerhouse team of planning and property lawyers within our Legal Services leadership team. This is a leadership role where law, governance, and community transformation converge to shape one of London's most exciting boroughs.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and inspire a specialist team of senior and property/planning lawyers.
• Provide expert legal advice to Cabinet, Committees, Steering Groups and client departments.
• Ensure good governance by upholding constitutional standards and staying ahead of legislative changes.
• Drive strategic excellence by aligning legal insights with Southwark 2030 and the council's Corporate Delivery Plan.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of service delivery.
• Advise on high-profile regeneration projects, including Old Kent Road and Canada Water.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping governance, law, and community transformation.
• Lead a talented team at the forefront of local government law and step into senior management.
• Support planning committees, regeneration, S106, and development agreements with expertise in planning law.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for property and planning lawyers within the council's legal services.
• Advise senior stakeholders including Cabinet and committees on complex legal matters.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality legal services that support the council’s borough plan and Southwark Stands Together initiative.
• Manage budgets with a commercial mindset and promote a collaborative, forward-thinking approach.
• Operate with resilience under pressure, balancing priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or FILEX with a current practising certificate.
• Expertise in planning law, including advising planning committees, regeneration, S106, and development agreements.
• Proven track record of managing and inspiring legal teams within local government.
• Strong leadership and budget management skills with a commercial mindset.
• Flexible, collaborative, and customer-focused with a passion for public service.

Location and Working Arrangements

Flexible hybrid working (home-based with travel to our London Bridge HQ).

About Southwark

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes. We are home to over 18,300 businesses and a diverse population. Our refreshed borough plan and the Southwark Stands Together initiative underpin all that we do to tackle racism, injustice and inequality.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to making our borough just and fair and to tackling inequalities. We particularly welcome applications from members of Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people if minimum requirements are met (Armed Forces and veterans; those currently in care or have been in care; those with disabilities or long-term health conditions).

Benefits

This post attracts an additional JNC benefit to the value of £2,724 per annum.