Senior lawyer (planning)

Job Description

Senior Lawyer (Planning) - Swindon Borough Council

£57,800 | Permanent | Hybrid Working

Swindon Borough Council is looking for a Senior Lawyer to join its Planning team. This is an opportunity to join a well-supported and ambitious Planning team doing complex, high-profile local government work with visible impact. Just as importantly, you will be joining a genuinely supportive team culture where collaboration, development and flexibility are taken seriously.

The Role

This is a varied and visible planning role with involvement across a broad range of development and planning matters. The successful candidate will advise on areas including: development management, planning enforcement, planning committee procedures and governance, section 106 agreements, planning and highways agreements.

You will work closely with planning and enforcement officers across the Council, providing clear and pragmatic legal advice on complex and often high-profile matters. The role also involves attendance at Planning Committee on a rota basis, so it is important that you are comfortable advising members in a formal committee setting and able to manage sensitive or politically nuanced discussions with confidence and professionalism.

Why Swindon?

There is a real sense of momentum around the Council. Swindon was shortlisted for “Most Improved Council” at the 2025 LGC Awards, whilst Chief Executive Sam Mowbray was shortlisted for “Chief Executive of the Year”. The organisation is investing heavily in improvement, collaboration and long-term transformation, and the legal team is a valued part of that journey.

Within Legal, there is a strong focus on people and culture. Lawyers are trusted to manage their work autonomously whilst being properly supported by colleagues, leadership and an experienced practice management team. Additional benefits include:

• Hybrid working
• Formal mentoring and development support
• Excellent legal research and case management systems
• High-quality public sector work with visible impact
• A collaborative and approachable team culture
• Opportunities for lawyers looking to step up or move into local government

About You

We are open to applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, including private practice and local government. You may already specialise in planning law, or you may have strong transferable public sector or property-related experience and be looking to deepen your expertise in a supportive environment. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys collaborative working
• Can communicate confidently with officers and elected members
• Is comfortable working in a politically sensitive environment
• Has strong judgement and a pragmatic approach
• Is willing and able to attend Planning Committee on a rota basis
• Wants to be part of a positive and ambitious team culture

Package

• Salary of £57,800
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent annual leave entitlement, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Paid family, carers’ and volunteering leave
• Hybrid working
• Free on-site parking
• A supportive and people-focused working environment

Interested?

For a confidential conversation or to find out more, please get in touch directly.

Applications from candidates looking to move into local government are actively encouraged.