Principal Lawyer – Planning & Highways Location: Huntingdon, Northampton or Shefford (with travel to other offices as required) Salary: £59,193.75 – £73,861.50 per annum, dependent on experience Additional Allowance: £1,435 per annum Management Allowance Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week Contract Type: Permanent An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced legal professional to join a well-regarded public sector legal service as a Principal Lawyer, specialising in Planning and Highways. This is a key leadership role offering the chance to work with a diverse range of clients across multiple local authorities. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage a team of lawyers delivering high quality legal advice on planning, development and highways matters Act as the principal legal advisor to client councils and represent them in courts, tribunals, and negotiations Oversee a complex and sensitive caseload, ensuring timely, accurate and pragmatic legal support Supervise and develop team members, ensuring efficient caseload management and professional development Build strong client relationships and support business development opportunities Deliver training sessions and legal briefings to clients to enhance their knowledge and self-sufficiency Deputise for the Head of Service and contribute to the strategic management of the wider Property, Planning & Highways team About You: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive In-depth knowledge of planning and highways law, ideally within a local government context Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop others Excellent communication, advocacy and client care skills Ability to manage complex legal issues with sound judgement and a proactive approach Experience of working under pressure and managing competing priorities effectively A commitment to high professional standards, continuous service improvement and Lexcel compliance Desirable Experience: Experience of advising on large-scale development projects and constitutional matters Knowledge of contract, commercial or litigation law This role offers a dynamic and rewarding career path for a legal professional looking to lead in a collaborative, public sector legal environment. If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for planning and highways law, we’d love to hear from you. To apply or find out more, please get in touch with your CV and contact details.