Locum Legal Services Team Leader – Planning & Environment
Posted 1 week ago by Venn Group
£65 Per hour
Undetermined
Hybrid
East Midlands, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Locum Legal Services Team Leader for Planning & Environment will oversee a small team within a Local Authority's Legal Services Division for an initial 6-9 month contract starting March 2026. The role involves managing legal staff, providing legal advice, and handling complex planning law matters. The position requires strong leadership skills and experience in local authority planning law. The working arrangement is hybrid, with a preference for full-time hours.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing, supervising and supporting solicitors, legal executives, trainees and support staff
- Overseeing team performance and ensuring service delivery meets Council requirements
- Complex drafting work, particularly Section 106 Agreements
- Drafting and analysing Certificates of Lawful Use
- Advising on planning policy and strategic matters
- Attending and advising at Planning Committee
- Handling Planning Enforcement matters
- Providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to Councillors, Senior and departmental officers, and colleagues within Legal Services
Key Skills:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with 5+ years’ PQE
- Strong planning law experience within a local authority setting
- Proven team leadership or supervisory experience
- Confidence in advising committees and senior stakeholders
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Deliver concise, clear written and oral advice
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and case management systems
- Adherence to time recording practices
- Collaborative approach and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced regulatory environment
Salary (Rate): £65 per hour
City: East Midlands
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Legal
Locum Legal Services Team Leader – Planning & Environment, East Midlands Local Authority, 6-9 months initial contract
An established Local Authority is seeking an experienced Planning Lawyer / Team Leader to join its Legal Services Division on a locum basis for an initial 6–9 month assignment starting March 2026. This is an excellent opportunity to lead a small, friendly and dedicated Planning & Environment team supporting a wide-ranging regulatory and licensing function within a busy Council environment.
The Role
Contract Length: 6–9 Month Contract | Commencing March 2026
Working Pattern: Full-Time (5 Days per Week Preferred)
Working Arrangement: Hybrid preferred, with one day a week in office
Rate: Up to £65 per hour (Flexibility for right candidate)
Key Responsibilities
- Managing, supervising and supporting solicitors, legal executives, trainees and support staff
- Overseeing team performance and ensuring service delivery meets Council requirements
- Complex drafting work, particularly Section 106 Agreements
- Drafting and analysing Certificates of Lawful Use
- Advising on planning policy and strategic matters
- Attending and advising at Planning Committee
- Handling Planning Enforcement matters
- Providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to: Councillors Senior and departmental officers Colleagues within Legal Services
Ideal Candidate
You will:
- Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with 5+ years’ PQE
- Have strong planning law experience within a local authority setting
- Demonstrate proven team leadership or supervisory experience
- Be confident advising committees and senior stakeholders
- Work independently with minimal supervision
- Deliver concise, clear written and oral advice
- Be comfortable using Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and case management systems
- Adhere to time recording practices
A collaborative approach and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced regulatory environment are essential. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Planning Lawyer seeking a leadership-focused interim role within a supportive and well-established local authority legal team.
For a confidential discussion and further details, please contact Philippa Stoate or Ebby Vallance on 07441 916438 or email localgovlegal@venngroup.com
Ref No. J93744
Venn Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates.
Locum Legal Services Team Leader – Planning & Environment, East Midlands Local Authority, 6-9 months initial contract