National Highways plays a critical role in maintaining and developing England’s strategic road network, ensuring safe and efficient journeys for millions, daily. As a government company, National Highways is committed to safety, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

National Highways is seeking an exceptional leader to join as Director of Legal Services (Planning & Property). In this senior role, the postholder will lead the Planning and Property legal divisions, providing expert, pragmatic legal advice across a broad range of planning and property matters, while ensuring National Highways’ legal interests are robustly protected. This role will report to the General Counsel and will be part of the Legal Services leadership team, which is responsible for managing the directorate.

This person will take responsibility for complex strategic legal issues, including planning law (such as Development Consent Orders, highways agreements, Town and Country Planning Act advice, highways and environmental law) and property law (including acquisitions, disposals, major projects, leases and property litigation), as well as reputational risk. The role will involve managing and developing a high-performing legal team and working collaboratively with the General Counsel, Executive Directors, government departments, and key external stakeholders to provide authoritative guidance on challenging legal and regulatory matters.

This role requires a highly experienced lawyer with deep expertise in planning and/or property law, alongside a strong understanding of public law and regulatory frameworks. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading expert teams, delivering under pressure, and providing strategic legal advice. They will be proactive, practical, and robust, with excellent client-handling skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organisation.

Joining National Highways in this role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the safe, efficient, and legally compliant operation of England’s strategic road network, while shaping the future of the organisation’s legal services.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to National Highways on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference QBRVD. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Friday 17 July 2026.