Up to £56,462 per annum

Do you want to make a difference?
 
At Eastleigh, we are proud of what we have achieved. As a medium-sized district council employing over 500 staff and supporting around 140,000 residents with a £65 million turnover and big ambitions, we have delivered a range of major projects and initiatives, ensuring we continue to be progressive and innovative in our approach whilst delivering high-quality services to our customers and the community.
 
Here at Eastleigh Borough Council, we are committed to making a positive difference for all the residents, businesses and visitors to Eastleigh, and we are proud to be delivering on our promise to lead and support Eastleigh Borough and its communities by developing a strong and sustainable economy that supports improved standards of living for residents, promoting thriving and healthy communities, and maintaining an attractive and sustainable environment that residents value.
 
We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and experienced senior legal professional to join our Legal Services Team and lead our in-house Planning and Litigation Lawyers.
 
Your new role
As the Principal Lawyer – Planning and Litigation, you will leverage your experience in providing robust due diligence and compliance, legal support and advice. Reporting to the Head of Legal Services (Deputy Monitoring Officer), you will be a senior, professionally qualified lawyer and lead the team dealing with all aspects of litigation, contentious planning and regulatory law.
 
You will be responsible for delivering a professional and ‘best-in-class’ legal service and the resolution of complex requests and cases. You will also support the Head of Legal Services and the Deputy Head of Legal Services with the successful development and leadership of the team.
 
What you need to succeed

• Educated to degree level or extensive equivalent experience
• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive
• Current membership of the Law Society or the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives or registered to practice with the Bar Standards Board
• Extensive working knowledge of legal working practices and methodologies at a senior level
• Experience in undertaking local government work and making legal representations
• Solid understanding of statutory and regulatory compliance
• Dynamic, innovative, confident, able to challenge others, open, perceptive and a strong communicator
• Proven ability to undertake complex legal cases and provide expert advice on a range of matters within local government
• Passionate about the role and local government
• A high level of resilience and a strong background in delivery
• Extremely capable in managing multiple competing priorities without slippage

About us
In return, you will be working with a great team in an organisation that is truly committed to a flexible, inclusive and enjoyable work environment. We are passionate about personal and professional development for all staff, offering exceptional conditions of employment as an accredited Living Wage Employer, plus the chance to make a lasting difference to the community of Eastleigh.
 
Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working, with an average of 2 days working in the office
• 31 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements and the ability to accrue up to 2 days’ additional leave per month (subject to operational requirements – pro rata for part-time staff)
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Places Leisure, Eastleigh – 30% off full membership
• Confidential employee advice and support programme
• Car and season ticket loans
• An excellent working environment
• Support for continuous professional development

For further information, please contact Jo Cassar, Service Director – Governance Support (Monitoring Officer), at joanne.cassar@eastleigh.gov.uk or Julia Davies, Deputy Head of Legal Services, at Julia.davies@eastleigh.gov.uk.

Closing date: 10 August 2025

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