Senior Lawyer - Planning, Property & Contracts Team

About us

Why this role matters :

The Vale of Glamorgan is a place with a strong sense of identity, ambition and purpose. Our Vale 2030 plan is more than a strategy, it’s a commitment to creating thriving communities, sustainable places, accessible transport networks and resilient environments.

As Wales’ most southerly coastal county, with vibrant towns, rural landscapes, major growth zones and significant regeneration underway, the Vale offers some of the most varied, high-profile and impactful legal work in the sector. The decisions we support today will shape how our communities grow, how people move, how land is used and how spaces are protected for generations.

Legal Services is fully embedded in this journey. We are trusted partners to services across the Council, providing clarity, confidence and rigour on issues such as planning, highways, Compulsory Purchase Orders, regeneration, judicial review, rights of way, infrastructure schemes and strategic land use. Our work underpins good governance, strengthens democratic decision-making and protects the public interest.

We are a friendly, supportive and collaborative team who value openness, integrity and curiosity. We work in line with our values, Open, Together, Proud and Ambitious, and welcome colleagues who want to use their legal expertise to create real public value.

Ambitious - Forward thinking, embracing new ways of working and investing in our future.

Open - Open to different ideas and being accountable for the decisions we take.

Together - Working together as a team that engages with our customers and partners, respects diversity and is committed to quality services.

Proud - Proud of the Vale of Glamorgan; proud to serve our communities and to be part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

About the role

Pay Details : £47,181 - £50,269 Pro Rata, £24.46 - £26.06 Per Hour

Hours of Work / Working Pattern : 37 Hours per week

Main Place of Work Civic Offices : Barry and Hybrid Working, (to agree days on site)

Contract Type Permanent

The role at a glance

We are recruiting a Senior Lawyer to support the delivery of legal services across Highways, Planning, Property, Contracts, Commons & Village Greens, Public Rights of Way, and associated regulatory and governance matters. You will :

• Manage a varied caseload including planning enforcement, highways orders, property transactions, rights of way, judicial review and compulsory purchase work.
• Provide confident, timely and solution-focused legal advice to officers, senior leaders and Members.
• Represent the Council in tribunals, public inquiries, planning hearings, CPO inquiries and court proceedings.
• Support committees and democratic processes, ensuring decisions are legally robust and transparent.
• Draft, negotiate and review legal documents, statutory notices and agreements (e.g. s106, highways agreements, land transactions).

What we offer :

About you

About you :

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving and being close to the decisions that shape places and communities. If you want your legal expertise to influence outcomes, not just process transactions, this could be your next step.

You’ll bring :

If you are unsure whether you meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We value potential, learning mindset and alignment with our values just as much as technical expertise.