Somerset Council
Principal Lawyer - Planning and Highways
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Principal Lawyer – Planning and Highways
Closing date: 20 July 2026 Salary: Grade 7, £65,101 per annum (inclusive of a time-limited £10,000 recruitment allowance until 31/01/2028)
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Planning & Highways Lawyer to lead a specialist legal function at the heart of Somerset Council’s growth and infrastructure ambitions. As Principal Lawyer, you will shape and influence major development and highways projects, providing expert advice that enables sustainable growth while protecting the interests of local communities.
Leading a skilled legal team, you’ll work at both strategic and operational levels, driving improvements in development planning and management, supporting complex, high-profile work, and playing a key role in the Council’s ongoing transformation. With strong collaboration across senior leadership and partners, this role offers the chance to make a visible, lasting impact in a forward-thinking and purpose-driven organisation.
Role Summary
As our Principal Lawyer – Planning and Highways, you will provide strategic legal leadership and expert advice to support the Council in delivering its priorities, transformation programmes and statutory duties. You will guide policy, decision-making and service delivery, while leading a high-performing legal team to ensure robust, effective and compliant outcomes. In doing so, you will play a key role in enabling the Council to operate with confidence, deliver high-quality services, and achieve positive outcomes for the communities it serves.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advice
- Lead on all aspects of Planning and Highways legal work, including managing a personal caseload and delegating effectively to ensure timely, high-quality delivery aligned with Council priorities.
- Ensure the legal team provides strategic support to senior stakeholders (e.g., Members, Directors) on complex policy and decision-making matters.
- Play a pivotal role in shaping development planning, highways strategy, and infrastructure projects while balancing community needs and sustainable growth.
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Team & Resource Management
- Oversee Planning and Highways legal team operations, ensuring efficient resource allocation (internal and external legal spend) while delivering value for money.
- Drive continuous improvement in service delivery through robust performance management, staff development, and adherence to quality assurance frameworks.
- Foster a collaborative culture, mentoring team members to maintain service continuity and high standards.
Client Relationships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders, including the Monitoring Officer, Head of Legal Services, councillors, and external partners.
- Represent the Council in key meetings (e.g., committees, senior discussions) to ensure aligned legal and policy-driven outcomes.
- Advise on service delivery models, promoting efficiency and collaboration in legal support arrangements.
Change Leadership & Innovation
- Champion innovative, adaptable approaches to legal service delivery, ensuring responsiveness to evolving regulatory and community needs.
- Lead initiatives to enhance service redesign, engagement, and equality/diversity compliance within Planning & Highways.
Essential Knowledge, Experience & Skills
Technical Competencies
- Demonstrable expertise in statutory, policy, and strategic frameworks of local government, with a focus on Planning and Highways law.
- Deep understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) considerations in service delivery.
- Proficiency in performance management, quality assurance, and service transformation frameworks.
- Strong grasp of complex corporate legal matters, including policy development, Member/Director engagement, and strategic advice.
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Leadership & Influence
- Proven ability to work with Members and Directors on high-stakes decisions, shaping strategic direction confidently.
- Experience delivering cross-agency projects and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- Ability to influence and lead initiatives that drive organisational improvements.
Soft Skills & Mindset
- A problem-solving, adaptive approach with a relentless commitment to delivering outcomes.
- Strong analytical decision-making skills, particularly in policy and service delivery contexts.
- Demonstrated commitment to ED&I principles and high ethical standards.
- Stakeholder-focused mindset, balancing technical rigor with community priorities.
- Ability to prioritise effectively, manage tough deadlines, and motivate diverse teams.
Professional Qualifications
- Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g., solicitor, barrister, CILEx) in legal or planning specialisms.
- Ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) in specialist fields.
Additional Benefits
- Permanent, full-time role (37 hours/week).
- 33 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays).
- Hybrid/flexible working opportunities.
- Relocation package (up to £8,000 for those moving to Somerset).
- Skilled Worker visa sponsorship available (or support for existing sponsors).
For informal queries: Contact Kehinde Awojobi, Head of Legal at kehinde.awojobi@somerset.gov.uk.
Full job details available on request: recruitment@somerset.gov.uk Reference: 899/AB
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