Commercial Lawyer – Minimum 40% office time, Civic Centre, Gateshead.
Where commercial strategy meets exceptional legal expertise.
Who We Are & What We Stand For
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading – we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’ll be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward‑thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people. We passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council, you’ll be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work/life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi‑time and hybrid working available across many roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Your expertise. Our ambition. Real impact.
Our Legal team provides comprehensive advice and support across both contentious and noncontentious matters, helping to ensure lawful, robust, and high‑quality decision‑making across the organisation. The team covers a broad portfolio of specialist areas, including Commercial and Regulatory Law, Litigation, and Property, Planning and Highways. The team plays a vital role in enabling effective service delivery and protecting Gateshead Council's interests. This is a dynamic, solutions‑focused team supporting colleagues at every level.
Expert legal thinking for real‑world results
The Commercial Lawyer role is central to the delivery of Gateshead Council’s ambitions to make Gateshead a place where everyone can thrive. This role supports the Council in delivering its priorities by providing clear, expert legal advice on commercial contracts and public sector procurement. You’ll work on a broad mix of matters, from construction and IT contracts to grants, joint ventures and subsidy control, ensuring compliance with legislation and the Council’s governance framework. You’ll manage your own procurement and contracting work, build strong relationships with services and stakeholders, and provide concise advice to senior officers on complex issues. This is a key role helping to secure lawful, effective and value‑driven commercial activity across the organisation.
What You’ll Get To Do
* Provide legal advice and support in relation to commercial contracts and public sector procurement law matters, including (but not limited to) construction contracts, IT contracts, grant funding agreements, joint ventures and subsidy control.
* Stay up to date with the relevant legislation, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, Subsidy Control Act 2022, case law, guidance, procedure and policy in respect of commercial contracts and public procurement law to ensure accurate and effective advice is provided.
* Advise on and apply the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, scheme of delegations and other governance procedures.
* Take responsibility for the preparation and effective management of a range of public procurement tenders and commercial contracts.
* Build relationships with internal and external clients and key stakeholders.
* Instruct external specialists as required.
* Maintain close contact with the Service Manager on all issues.
* Provide concise advice on complex legal issues to senior council officers/diversely at board and committee meetings.
* Respond cooperatively to reasonable requests to undertake other responsibilities allocated that are appropriate to the grade of the post.
What You’ll Bring
* Legally qualified professional – a qualified solicitor, barrister or fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with a current practising certificate, and the capability to work confidently at a level typically gained through several years of post‑qualification practice.
* Keenness to develop deep expertise in all areas of commercial and public procurement law, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, Subsidy Control Act 2022, case law and related policies and procedures.
* Strong client‑focused approach, able to build trust, understand service needs and provide clear, practical and solution‑focused advice.
* Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills, with the ability to produce accurate, concise and well‑reasoned legal documents.
* Highly organised, able to manage a varied caseload, prioritise effectively and deliver work to tight or competing deadlines.
* Clear and confident communicator, able to explain complex issues simply and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
* Experience working with corporate clients and/or within a local government environment, or the ability to quickly adapt to the public‑sector context.
* Experience in commercial/public, procurement or contract law, or demonstrable transferable skills and a strong motivation to specialise in this area.
What’s In It For You
* Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
* Outstanding pension scheme.
* Generous annual leave – 28 days, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), and the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
* Flexible working hours – up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs) for more control over your time.
* Hybrid and flexible working – we support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid options.
* Learning and development – access to training, development and progression opportunities.
* Health and wellbeing support – gym memberships through GLL and mental health resources.
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme – tax‑efficient programme.
* Electric and hybrid car scheme – salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions after 12 months service.
* Exclusive discounts and salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics and more via VIVUP after 6 months service.
Our commitment to you
We are an equal‑opportunity employer and aim to have a culture and workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In high‑volume recruitment situations, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria based on the information provided in the application.
The Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the short‑listing criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process.
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