Principal Contracts Solicitor - 3 Month Contract

Summary

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of legal professionals to ensure efficient legal service delivery.
  
  


• Offer expert legal counsel on complex contracts, commercial, governance, and public law issues.
  
  


• Assist client departments in achieving strategic projects and organisational goals.
  
  


• Advise senior leaders, elected members, and stakeholders on legal risks and solutions.
  
  


• Support the Monitoring Officer in meeting statutory obligations.
  
  


• Promote and uphold effective governance practices across the organisation.
  
  


• Oversee team performance, service standards, budgets, and resources.
  
  


• Mentor, coach, supervise, and manage the performance of staff.
  
  


• Provide professional advice and management information to the Chief Legal Officer.
  
  


• Lead on complex legal matters and major projects as needed.
  
  


• Participate in public meetings, committees, and stakeholder forums.
  
  


• Foster effective working relationships with members, officers, external partners, and key stakeholders.
  
  


• Contribute to service improvement and continuous development initiatives.
  
  

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate.
  
  


• Extensive experience in contracts, commercial law, and Local Government legal work.
  
  


• Proven track record in managing and leading legal teams.
  
  


• Strong understanding of governance, public law, and Local Authority decision-making.
  
  


• In-depth knowledge of legislation, policy, and regulatory frameworks relevant to Local Government.
  
  


• Experience advising senior officers, members, and executive leadership teams.
  
  


• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex legal matters clearly.
  
  


• Experience working within a large, politically sensitive organisation.
  
  


• Experience managing performance, resources, and service delivery.
  
  


• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
  
  


• Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure.
  
  

Desirable

• Extensive knowledge of Local Government law and democratic processes.
  
  


• Experience leading large-scale projects and transformation programmes.
  
  


• Strategic leadership experience within a Local Authority legal service.
  
  


• Experience managing budgets and resource planning.
  
  


• Strong knowledge of public procurement and commercial contracting matters.
  
  

Management Responsibility

• Direct management responsibility for approximately 5-10 staff.
  
  


• Leadership, supervision, development, and performance management of legal professionals.
  
  


• Responsibility for maintaining service quality, performance, and efficiency.
  
  

Additional

• Politically restricted post.
  
  


• Regular attendance at meetings, committees, and events may be required.
  
  


• Some evening work may be necessary to support service delivery.
  
  


• Opportunity to work closely with elected members and senior leadership teams.
  
  

What's on Offer?

• £66.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
  


• 3 Month Contract
  
  


• Full-Time Hours
  
  


• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
  


• Senior leadership opportunity within Legal Services
  
  


• Varied and high-profile legal caseload
  
  


• Opportunity to influence governance and strategic decision-making
  
  


• Potential for contract extension