Head of Law - Planning and Regulatory

£80,881 - £86,688

Contract: Permanent Full Time

Office basis: Agile fully flexible

Pay frequency: Annual

Job title: Head of Law - Planning and Regulatory

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

We are looking for an inspirational leader ready to take on this key strategic role dealing with complex, high profile and novel Planning and Regulatory work.

The post holder will be the Council’s legal specialist advisor on Planning and Regulatory work personally advising the Cabinet, members and the Council’s senior management team. You will lead, motivate, and manage a high performing team of talented lawyers.

As a Head of Law, you will be expected to drive continuous improvement within your team, across the service and throughout the council, shaping how we work today and for the future. You will need to bring your strengths in innovation and collaboration to influence at the highest levels of the organisation and across key external stakeholders to deliver on challenging outcomes. In addition, you will work closely with the Monitoring Officer to embed good governance across the organisation and will have the opportunity to act as the deputy monitoring officer. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership truly matter.

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 1 November 2026
Shortlisting date: W/C 2 November 2026
Interview date: Monday 23 November 2026
Interview type: face-to-face including a presentation

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Karen McIlwaine via amanda.o'hare@liverpool.gov.uk. 

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council:

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.  Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.

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