Job Details
Job Title: Senior Planning Lawyer / Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer
Location: Hybrid working - Offices in Market Harborough Leicestershire
Salary: Grade 10 - £51,356 to £54,495 pa pro rata for part time. This post attracts a market supplement of up to 5% of starting annual salary depending on experience.
Status: Contracts and procurement Senior Lawyer – full time permanent (37 hours per week); Planning Senior Lawyer – part time permanent (22.2 hours per week). We understand that for most, home life is a priority, so we are happy to consider either role on a part-time or job-share basis.
These roles can be delivered remotely on most occasions; however, there may be times when in-office attendance is required for client meetings or to attend committee meetings.
About Harborough District Council
Harborough District Council is committed to delivering high-quality services to its community in Market Harborough, the town of Lutterworth, part of the Leicester urban area, and surrounding rural areas. Market Harborough is a market town known for its historic architecture, vibrant market, and picturesque countryside. The town is well-connected by rail, with direct services to Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and London.
The Roles
We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Lawyers to join the Council’s Legal Services team as Senior Lawyers. These roles are pivotal in ensuring the Council’s activities are conducted lawfully and transparently, contributing to the Council’s goal of continuous improvement in service quality, cost efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
General responsibilities for both roles include:
* Ensure understanding and compliance with local government law and statutory requirements within the Council.
* Draft and advise on reports for Cabinet, Council Committees and other meetings, ensuring procedural and standing orders compliance.
* Act as lead advisor on a broad range of planning or contracts and procurement matters, depending on experience.
* Manage own caseload of complex and diverse matters; provide advice to Members, Officers and other stakeholders.
* Provide training and support to other officers in legal procedures.
* Ensure compliance with all Council policies and statutory requirements.
* Promote a culture of excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
* Demonstrate proven experience in the public sector or private practice, with strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
* Ability to manage competing demands and tight deadlines.
Specific Key Responsibilities
Senior Lawyer – Planning – Lead and manage the delivery of legal services in planning matters; several years post-qualification experience in planning law including s.106 agreements, planning appeals, and enforcement.
Senior Lawyer – Contracts & Procurement – Several years post-qualification experience in contracts and procurement law, including preparing contract documentation, advising on compliance and governance requirements, and negotiating agreements; lead and manage the delivery of legal services in contracts and procurement matters.
About You
You will display sound decision making, excellent interpersonal and influencing skills. You will be confident in public speaking and problem solving. You will be a self-motivated individual with commitment to achieving targets, well-organised, and able to handle a broad caseload. You will be adaptable to changing priorities, work as part of a team, and also work independently, prioritising your own workload. You will support the Head of Legal Services in more complex and sensitive work, dealing with contentious and non-contentious matters.
These roles are flexible and can be delivered remotely on most occasions; however, there may be times when office presence is required for client meetings or committee meetings.
How to Apply — If you are interested, please contact Julie Young, Head of Legal Services, by emailing j.young@harborough.gov.uk.
Closing date: 17th October 2025. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive sufficient suitable applications; apply as soon as possible.
Desirable criteria from the person specification may be used for sifting purposes. You can apply online at www.harborough.gov.uk/job-application. If you have difficulties applying online, please e-mail recruitment@harborough.gov.uk. CVs will not be accepted. Please specify which post you are applying for on your application form and demonstrate how you meet the person specification.
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