Job Description

Planning Legal Director - Manchester | Hybrid Working
What's in it for you:

• Genuine Legal Director role with a clear pathway to equity
• One of the strongest planning platforms in the UK
• Excellent hybrid working policy - trust-based, not clock-watched
• High-quality national client base with complex, interesting work
• Proper autonomy to build, shape and lead

This is a senior planning opportunity with a firm that has quietly built one of the most respected planning practices in the country.
They're now looking to appoint a Planning Legal Director into their Manchester office - someone who wants a leadership role, not just a title. This is about influence, growth and long-term progression, not filling a gap.
The role:
The Legal Director will play a key part in growing the Manchester planning practice, working closely with national colleagues and existing real estate, development and infrastructure teams.
The work is a strong mix of:

• Major development and regeneration projects
• Infrastructure, energy and public sector work
• Strategic advice to developers, landowners and investors

There is already a strong flow of work - this role is about adding leadership, profile and depth.
What they're looking for:

• Senior planning solicitor, ideally at Legal Director / Partner-ready level
• Strong technical grounding in planning law
• Comfortable leading matters and mentoring others
• Commercial, relationship-driven and outward-facing
• Someone who wants to help build, not just service

A following is welcomed but not essential - platform, support and cross-referral work are already there.
Hybrid & culture:
This is a genuinely flexible firm. The hybrid policy is one of the best around - based on trust, not timesheets. If you're delivering, you're supported to work in a way that suits your life as well as your career.
The culture is adult, collaborative and low-ego. People are given space to succeed, not micromanaged into it.
Why this stands out:

• Real leadership role, not a vanity title
• Clear route to equity for the right person
• National-quality planning work, delivered locally
• Outstanding hybrid working
• A firm that invests in people properly

This is for someone who wants to be known in the market, build something meaningful, and do it within a supportive, well-resourced platform.

Skills Required