Job Introduction
Join a team where your expertise shapes the future of Staffordshire
Staffordshire County Council is a modern, forward‑thinking authority with big ambitions. We empower our people to be bold, innovative and to take pride in the work they do.
Staffordshire Legal Services is one of the largest and most diverse in‑house legal teams in the region, providing high‑quality, high‑impact work across every Council function, the Staffordshire Pension Fund, and a wide range of external clients. Our caseload is consistently interesting, varied, and often high profile.
Why Join Us?
We genuinely prioritise work‑life balance‑our staff survey tells us we don’t just say it, we live it. Our benefits include:
* Generous holiday allowance, increasing with service, plus the option to purchase additional leave
* Agile, flexible and term‑time working arrangements
* Local Government Pension Scheme with generous (29.5%) employer contributions
* Employee discounts, staff parking discounts, and an optional car lease scheme
* Family‑friendly policies, including maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave
* A collaborative, supportive team culture where your contribution truly matters
Main Responsibility
Your Work Will Include
* Advising on a full range of County Planning matters, including planning applications and enforcement
* Negotiating complex planning obligations on behalf of highways and education clients
* Providing expert advice on a broad range of Local Authority statutory planning functions
* Managing a varied and challenging caseload in line with Lexcel standards
* Supervising and supporting colleagues within the team
The Ideal Candidate
You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive (with practice/advocacy rights) who brings:
* A strong understanding of Planning Law
* Insight into public sector work (local government experience welcomed but not essential)
* Clear, confident communication skills
* Excellent attention to detail and organisational abilities
* The capability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
* A collaborative approach, including the ability to delegate effectively
If you are unsure whether your skills are the right fit, we encourage you to get in touch for an informal chat. Please contact John Rowe, Principal Lawyer at or Imran Razaq, Deputy Legal Services Manager at .
Interviews will take place during week commencing 23 March 2026.
Our Recruitment Process
We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
Equal Opportunities
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Attached documents
* Team Senior Lawyer JDPS 60000849 G12 CAS.pdf
* Candidate Guide 2025.pdf
Apply
Team Senior Lawyer – Planning
* Salary £55,609 – £60,047
* Frequency Annual
* Job Reference staffscc/TP/26/4061
* Contract Type Permanent Full time
* Working Hours 37
* Closing Date 15 March, 2026
* Job Category Legal
* Business Unit Law and Democracy
* Location Staffordshire Place 1 Tipping Street Stafford, United Kingdom
* Posted on 26 February, 2026
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