Legal Director – Planning | Birmingham (Hybrid) | Up to £107,000 + bonus
Oculus is partnering with a Top 20 international law firm to recruit a Legal Director into their Planning and Infrastructure team — a powerhouse group leading on landmark regeneration and nationally significant development projects across the UK.
If you’re the kind of Planning lawyer who thrives on complexity — Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), and Section 106 agreements — this is your platform to work alongside one of the country’s most respected names in planning law, on projects that literally reshape skylines.
The snapshot
* Title: Legal Director – Planning
* Location: Birmingham (Hybrid – 2 days in office)
* Salary: Up to £107,000 + bonus (kicks in from 1,300 chargeable hours)
* Target: 1,500 chargeable hours
* Practice: Real Estate – Planning, Regeneration, and Infrastructure
Why this role?
* Work directly with a Tier 1-ranked Partner (Legal 500) — recognised as a leading individual in planning and land assembly, with over 20 years’ experience delivering top-drawer strategic advice.
* Advise major UK and international developers, funds, investors, and public bodies on transformative, big-ticket projects.
* Handle the full lifecycle of major schemes — from site acquisition and promotion through to consent, delivery, and land compensation.
* Gain exposure to work across transport, energy, logistics, town centre regeneration, retail, health, and education.
* 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 multi-disciplinary 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 communicator.
* Natural leader who inspires, mentors, and delivers excellence.
The 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
This isn’t just another senior planning role — it’s your chance to step into the engine room of nationally significant projects, work alongside one of the best in the business, and shape the next generation of development law in the UK.
Ellie Marshall – Oculus
📩 Ellie.marshall@oculuslegalgroup.com
📞 07383 821952