£50,788 - £55,021 per annum, pro rata for part time.

This is a new opportunity for a talented Senior Lawyer to work within a small team of like-minded lawyers. You will work within the 3C Shared Legal Service (Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council & Huntingdonshire District Council) during an exciting time for the three councils who all have a portfolio of growth projects in and around Cambridge.
 
The role of Senior Lawyer (Planning) will focus on the Councils planning service, including advice to officers and members of the partner Councils on; development control, listed buildings and conservation areas, enforcement, planning inquiries, agreements, notices and compulsory purchase. Demonstrating your exceptional communication skills, you will be required to give practical, clear, accurate and full legal advice to a range of Council officers, including Councillors, the Chief Executive, Directors, Heads of Service and senior managers of the Partnership. You may also be required to advise committees.
 
About You:
You will use your substantial previous legal experience to draft complex legal documents where original thought is required, act as a lead legal adviser on project teams and lead on the Council’s response to complex complaints, which may involve points of law and procedure.
 
The successful applicant will be a Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives or holds demonstrable significant experience working at this level, with an in depth and up to date knowledge of planning and practice, including EU Environmental Law and local government law and procedures. You will be able to work on your own initiative with a minimum of supervision and act as a mentor for less experienced planning lawyers.
 
Please note: This post is politically restricted. As the service is based across the 3 Councils, the successful applicant must have the ability to travel to and work from other locations as required.
 
In return we can offer:

• A variety of learning and development opportunities via a range of sources and methods
• Access to the highly valued Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared AVC) Scheme
• Agile and Flexible working
• Annual leave purchasing scheme
• Annually negotiated pay and award progression
• Confidential advice and support via an Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Hub
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• Flexible Bank Holidays
• Generous annual leave allowance 25 days’ per annum, rising to 30 days’ after five years continuous service; plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time).
• Gym Membership
• Lifestyle Savings with over 750 discounts from the UK’s leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more
• Professional Membership Fees paid for, dependent on the role
• Relocation Assistance may be payable in approved cases
• Staff reward and recognition framework
• Subsidy for public transport

Hours: This is a full-time role, for 37 hours per week.

Although the role is advertised as full time, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.   
 
Contract: Permanent
 
Location: This can be flexible – working in Cambridge on site or at one of our offices or working from home.  You will be able to balance your work location accordingly depending on the priorities of your role and team.
 
More Information:    
           
You can click on the links here to find out more information about Staff Pay and Benefits, Working for the Council, our Values & Behaviours, Equality & Diversity in Recruitment or Our People & Culture Strategy.

If you would like an informal chat, please contact Richard Pitt on or email Richard.pitt@3csharedservices.org
 
Application Process:                                   
To be considered for this role, please visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/careers for ‘Our Vacancies’.  You can follow the on-screen instructions to ‘Apply Online’ and submit an application.

Closing date: 14 May 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.