Principal Lawyer Highways and Planning

The starting salary for this role is £73,317 to £80,576 per annum depending on experience based on a 36 hour working week.

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Principal Highways and Planning Solicitor or Lawyer to provide senior-level leadership of our highways and planning legal team and expert legal advice on complex and high‑value highways and planning matters. Our work is interesting and varied and we work for informed and appreciative client teams.

The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. As the manager of the team there is an expectation of office presence and bringing the team together in person.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

The team sits alongside other teams in the County's Legal Services, supporting the work of the County as Highway Authority and Minerals and Waste Planning Authority. The team draft highways and planning agreements, providing advice on planning and highways enforcement and governance, DCO work, appeals, and related litigation. Our support of officers on enforcement directly benefits residents ensuring that obstruction, encroachment and planning breaches are addressed effectively.

About the Role

You will lead and manage a team of highways and planning lawyers and be the primary contact for a broad range of legal highways and planning issues to support the Council in the provision of its services. You will provide advice to support Council governance for Highways and Planning matters and provide legal support to Planning & Regulatory Committee.

If you consider yourself to be an effective and dynamic individual, with experience of managing and supervising people and the ability to motivate others whilst working in a team, then you will likely be well suited to this role.

The role will require experience in the relevant areas of law and the following skills and abilities:

• Experience of leading Highways and Planning legal work
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Ability to provide strategic, commercially focused and risk-based advice at pace
• An understanding of local government powers and governance
• Flexibility to prioritise workloads and provide solutions focused advice
• Exemplary client care and organisational skills

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX with substantial experience of the law and practice in this area (5 years+ PQE or demonstrable equivalent) and eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority
• Ability to lead and represent Legal Services and deputise for the Assistant Director
• Experience of managing a team
• Experience of working with clients at all levels and ability to give clear, accurate and solutions focused advice
• Ability to take on urgent, and sometimes unfamiliar, matters at short notice
• Ability to manage competing priorities to achieve client deadlines.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Amanda Scally via email at .

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This advert closes at 23:59 on 28 June 2026 with interviews to follow.

If you are looking for a role which is challenging and interesting with an opportunity to develop your existing skills and employment experience by working in local government, please click the apply button below to submit your application.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.