Working hours: 35 hours per week Contract type: Permanent Working style: Hybrid Closing date: 11.59pm, 2 April 2025 Interview method: in person This role is subject to: Qualification - Qualified solicitor, barrister, Chartered Lawyer or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate, or equivalent legal qualification Registration with Solicitor's Regulation Authority, Bar Council or Chartered Institute of Legal Executives or equivalent "This is Manchester – We Do Things Differently Here." Manchester is a city that has reinvented itself time and again, leading change, and creating innovative solutions to complex challenges. It is building a diverse, vibrant and creative city, reimagining urban living, working, and leisure Join Our Dynamic Regeneration Legal Team Our Regeneration Legal Group spearheads the complex negotiation, drafting and delivery of the planning, property and regeneration work that makes this revolution happen. We’re now expanding the team to deliver on the Council’s ambitious strategy: Investing in Success: An Economic Strategy for Manchester. We are expanding our Regeneration Legal Group to support Manchester’s strategy – blending property, planning, and regeneration work to create the vibrant future we all envision. We are recruiting a range of lawyers to help us to continue to deliver the Council’s ambition and to build positive working relationships with colleagues and clients. In this role you will: Work as a lawyer in the Physical Infrastructure Team and have the chance to be involved with some of the most high profile and interesting work in the city and the region. Acting for Manchester Council, Salford Council and the GMCA, you will advise on regeneration projects that impact and shape cities, communities and environments. Be involved in major city centre planning and regeneration matters, including the delivery of commercial and residential redevelopments, social housing and student accommodation, the building and management of health and leisure centres, community hubs, schools and colleges. Advise the councils on all aspects of planning and highways law and policy, compulsory purchase, judicial review/statutory challenge, planning enforcement, statutory consents, as well as a range of highways issues and other land designation issues, including the drafting and negotiation of related legal documentation Assist lawyers in the wider Regeneration group on the planning or highways aspects of development projects. Work efficiently and under pressure Work flexibly to support the needs of the Physical Infrastructure Team and the wider Regeneration Group. For an informal discussion, please contact Robert Irvine at 07760 326672 or [email protected]. About the Candidate We would love to hear from you if you have significant experience and knowledge in a number of the following areas: Advising on a range of planning highways and regeneration matters, including enforcement Drafting, negotiating and delivery of the contractual arrangements around planning highways and related matters, including planning obligations, conservation covenants, section 38 and 278 highways agreements and related contracts. Advising on and/or representing clients at Judicial Reviews/Statutory Challenges and Planning Appeals Compulsory Purchase Prior in-house local government experience is not essential. Please see the attached role profile for a full list of the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for. Join Us and Make Your Mark Be part of Manchester’s ambitious regeneration journey. Let’s build something remarkable together. About Us We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: We take time to listen and understand We work together and trust each other We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things We’re proud and passionate about Manchester Benefits we offer Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. Support During the Process Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview. Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. Guaranteed Assessment Scheme We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below: Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans Current or former care leavers Have a disability or long-term condition When You Join Us We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering: A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work. Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice. A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly. For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected]. What we will need from you if you’re successful In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. Pre-Employment Checks If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include: Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role. References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s). Proof of qualifications and registrations These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. Other relevant information We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached. Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year. Privacy Notice