Principal Lawyer - Planning, Highways and Property

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Lawyer - Planning, Highways and Property
Salary: £65,487 – £75,582 per annum
Grade: H
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Lead People. Build Capability. Shape the Future.

At Thurrock Council, we're building a modern, ambitious and supportive Legal Services team and we're looking for a lawyer who wants to play a central role in that journey.

Whilst this role involves leading on complex planning, highways, property and regeneration matters, its real focus is people and leadership.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about developing others, creating high-performing teams and helping lawyers at every stage of their career to thrive.

As Principal Lawyer, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team of talented legal professionals, creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to do their best work. You'll coach, mentor and develop colleagues, helping to build capability, strengthen resilience and create future leaders for the organisation.

You'll work closely with the Head of Legal Services and wider leadership team to shape the future of the service, support organisational transformation and ensure Legal Services continues to be a trusted and valued partner across the Council.

What makes this role different?

This isn't simply about managing a caseload.

It's about:

• Leading and inspiring a team of legal professionals.
• Creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues to achieve their potential.
• Supporting succession planning and developing future leaders.
• Promoting wellbeing, engagement and continuous learning.
• Encouraging innovation, accountability and collaboration.
• Helping shape the future direction of Legal Services.

Alongside this leadership role, you'll provide strategic legal advice on planning, highways, property and regeneration matters, supporting major projects and advising senior officers and elected Members on significant and often high-profile issues.

About You

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive authorised to practise in England and Wales with experience in planning, highways, property, regeneration or related local government law.

Equally importantly, you'll be someone who genuinely enjoys developing people and helping teams succeed.

You may already be leading a team, or you may be an ambitious senior lawyer ready to take your next step into leadership. What matters most is your ability to inspire confidence, build relationships, support others and create an environment where people can perform at their best.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has strong legal judgement and professional credibility.
• Builds trust and positive relationships at every level.
• Enjoys coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Leads with integrity, empathy and authenticity.
• Values collaboration and shared success.
• Embraces change and continuous improvement.
• Wants to make a lasting contribution to both a service and the people within it.

Why Thurrock?

This is an opportunity to join a Legal Services team that is investing in its future.

We are committed to professional development, leadership growth and creating opportunities for our people to progress. We actively support leadership and management development, mentoring, coaching and apprenticeships to help develop the next generation of legal leaders.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine your legal expertise with leadership, influence and the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people, place and organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Lead a team. Develop people. Help shape the future of Legal Services at Thurrock Council.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 5th November 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 15th November 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Lyra-Mai Mayari - Head of Legal Services

lyramai.mayari@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications and/or professional registration as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications to your fully completed Application along with your CV.

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council