Legal Director – Planning

The role is based in Birmingham, with a hybrid working arrangement of 2 days in office and 3 days remote.

Salary: Up to £107,000 + bonus (triggered from 1,300 chargeable hours)

Target chargeable hours: 1,500 per year

Practice: Real Estate – Planning, Regeneration, and Infrastructure

Why this role?

• Work directly with a Tier 1-ranked Partner (Legal 500) who has over 20 years of experience delivering top‑tier strategic advice.
• Advise major UK and international developers, funds, investors, and public bodies on transformative, high‑value projects.
• Handle the full lifecycle of major schemes – from site acquisition and promotion through to consent, delivery and land compensation.
• Gain exposure to transport, energy, logistics, town‑centre regeneration, retail, health and education projects.
• Join a tight‑knit, technically elite team trusted to deliver on the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure developments.
• Enjoy real autonomy, hybrid flexibility and reward structures that recognise high performance.

What you’ll do

• Lead and advise on DCOs, CPOs, Section 106 agreements and complex planning instructions.
• Draft and negotiate planning‑related legal agreements for developers, lenders, investors and public sector clients.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary advisory teams on large‑scale land assembly and infrastructure projects.
• Advise on compulsory purchase compensation, judicial reviews and planning appeals.
• Support real estate colleagues with planning due diligence on acquisitions, disposals and financings.
• Mentor and develop junior lawyers, shaping the next generation of planning talent.
• Drive business development and strengthen long‑term client relationships.

What you’ll bring

• Qualified Solicitor (6+ PQE) with significant experience in planning, development and/or infrastructure law.
• Expertise in Section 106, CPO and DCO work.
• Confidence handling complex statutory processes and high‑value, multi‑stakeholder projects.
• Strategic mindset and strong client relationship skills.
• Clear, commercially focused communication.
• Natural leader who inspires, mentors and delivers excellence.

Rewards

• Salary: Up to £107,000 + bonus (triggered from 1,300 hours)
• Hybrid working: 2 days in the Birmingham office
• World‑class benefits: private medical, life assurance, income protection, pension and more
• Career trajectory: direct line into partnership potential
• Prestige projects: work that defines skylines, infrastructure and communities

Ellie Marshall – Oculus

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Legal
• Industries: Legal Services and Law Practice