As Senior Commercial Lawyer you will take the lead on a mixed caseload of contractual matters and advise on procurement, to include acting as one of the primary points of contact for contract transactions. In this role you will:

• Draft and review grant funding agreements, framework agreements and service level agreements

• Assist with advising on procurement and supporting the Council to navigate the new procurement regime 

• Handle the provision of high quality and timely legal advice and support to Officers and Members

• Provide support, direction and supervision to Legal Assistants

• Contribute to the Council’s corporate strategic priorities and the legal direction of the team, ensuring that priorities are met. 

• Provide significant input into the development and implementation of legal compliance policies and procedures. 

• Work with the other team members in identifying and implementing improvement to services and making the most of resources. 

• Support Legal Services by helping to build and maintain excellent client relations acting as a role model to achieve service and Council wide objectives. 

• Deliver high quality and value for money legal services. 

• Provide Children’s Social Care team with expert legal advice on applicable laws and the interpretation of legal documents in a manner that supports a practical legal approach and manages risk.  

• To provide recommendations for addressing critical legal and policy issues in order to ensure that the councils legal and business objectives are met. 

• Identify legal issues and risks and providing analysis and resolution to such matters. 

• Provide effective representation on complex legal work on behalf of the Council, and, where appropriate, to external bodies. 

• Lead and support junior staff in undertaking their role. 

• Manage a personal caseload of legal work relevant to the team and areas of law and legal practice based on transactions of high value, complexity and/or of major significance/importance. 

• To provide timely, high quality and accurate legal, tactical and strategic advice. 

To be successful in securing this position you will: 

• Be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive with up-to-date practising certificate  

• Possess demonstrable experience of working within and providing advice on contract law and public sector procurement

• Be an exceptional communicator in both written and verbal formats

• Have the ability to formulate and maintain strong working relationships across other departments 

Post grade: 16

Location: Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW

Post hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday 

Special Conditions: Attend meetings as required, including occasional evening meetings.

Responsible to: Rosalind Thorpe - Head of Commercial and Litigation Legal Team

Responsible for: Supervision of Lawyers/Legal Officers 

Internal Relationships: Elected Members, Chief Officers/Senior Management, Officers within all Departments of the Council and other related Council service providers e.g. ALMO’s, LATCO’s, schools, etc

External Relationships: Solicitors in private practice, Counsel, Government Departments, Other Local Authorities, Court Officials, Members of Parliament, Members of the public and Outside Agencies and Professional Bodies, Medical and other expert witnesses; other professional persons. 

• Please submit your CV via email to tripley@venngroup.com along with a brief supporting statement

• Please detail any employment or education gaps.

• Be prepared to provide the names, positions and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.