Job Description

46,142 - 49,282 per annum
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 continually highly ranked in the annual Law Survey conducted by Planning Resource.
We are looking for a qualified planning lawyer, who will be required to undertake a substantial personal caseload (both contentious and non-contentious) of legal professional work in the areas of development, planning law, highways law and some local government law.
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;
• the ability to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed; and
• the ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.

About the role
You will advise on a wide range of planning and highways matters, working closely with council colleagues and third parties to find pragmatic solutions to issues; and provide advice to the council, attending committee and board meetings on occasion as required.
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; and
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

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 philippa.plumtreevarley@leeds.gov.uk.
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 visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least 41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Closing date: 5 November 2025
For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

Skills Required