Senor Legal Counsel (Planning) - Major transport hub

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of one of the UK's most complex and significant infrastructure programmes. Working alongside the Head of Legal (Planning) in leading the legal planning strategy, securing complex planning consents and influencing planning policy at local and national levels. This role will be required to work closely as a trusted advisor with wider legal, property and operational functions. The Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for day-to-day legal consenting (and other) issues, including advising directly and procuring external legal advice where required.

Responsibilities:

• Leading the planning consents and approvals strategy for major infrastructure, expansion and investment programmes, including DCOs, planning applications, appeals, consultations and statutory processes, ensuring successful delivery of complex projects.
• Representing the organisation's interests in planning and infrastructure policy discussions, consultations, studies and reforms, influencing decision-making at local, regional and national levels.
• Building, managing and influencing relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, consenting authorities, regulatory bodies, industry partners and external organisations.
• Providing leadership and specialist expertise within the legal function, developing team capability, managing budgets and overseeing the delivery of high-quality outcomes.
• Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to align legal consenting activity with business priorities and deliver strategic objectives.
• Acting as a key interface between major programme teams and legal specialists, ensuring legal planning and consenting considerations are effectively integrated into project development and delivery.

This is a Hybrid role, requiring office attendance 3 days per week on average over the course of each month.