Principal Lawyer – Contracts and Commercial
£51,356 – £56,494 + £3,000 market supplement
This is a senior commercial role within a large, well-established local authority legal service, working on complex, high-value public sector projects with real-world impact.
The role combines technically demanding work with the opportunity to support and guide other lawyers, without requiring prior formal management experience.
The team
You’ll join a specialist Contracts and Commercial team within a wider in-house legal service. The team works closely with procurement colleagues and internal stakeholders across the organisation, advising on a broad range of commercial and governance-heavy matters.
It’s a supportive, down-to-earth team environment, with a strong focus on collaboration and practical problem-solving.
The role
You’ll manage your own complex commercial and procurement caseload and play a role in supporting other senior lawyers and helping the team operate effectively day to day. The work includes:
* Advising on UK public sector procurement law and strategy
* Drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including ICT and construction
* Supporting high-value and high-profile local authority projects
* Advising on governance, local government law and procedure
* Working on matters such as PFI and academy transfers, TUPE, waste and partnership arrangements
* Providing informal supervision and technical guidance to other lawyers
Who this role suits
* A qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer
* Experienced in public sector procurement law
* Comfortable handling complex commercial matters with minimal supervision
* Interested in developing leadership skills, even if you haven’t formally managed before
* Collaborative, pragmatic and confident working with non-legal colleagues
Working arrangements and benefits
* Hybrid working with high levels of flexibility
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* 28.5 days annual leave, rising to 32.5 days after five years, plus bank holidays
* Family-friendly and flexible working policies
* Health and wellbeing support
* Travel and cycle benefits
For more information
Contact Nik Stoate at Venn Group nstoate@venngroup.com
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