Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. Our planning legal team is highly ranked in the annual Planning Law Survey 2025

We are looking for an experienced senior planning lawyer, who will advise planning committees, boards and senior officers, advise on strategic planning matters, and undertake planning appeals and judicial reviews.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Principal Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:

• the ability to manage a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work.
• good interpersonal skills,
• a can do attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members
• be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
• ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly

About the role

You will advise on a wide range of complex planning and highways matters, attend and advise planning committees and boards, and advise on planning appeals, judicial reviews and public inquiries.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Pippa Plumtree-Varley, Team Leader Development Team. Call 0113 3785131 or email pippa.plumtreevarley@leeds.gov.uk

Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 18 August

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Closing date: 10 August 2025

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