Commercial and Projects Solicitor

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working with home-working

Flexible hours

Career progression opportunities

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Employee benefits

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a qualified solicitor/barrister/CILEX to join the Legal Service. The role provides expert advice across commercial, procurement and governance matters and carries responsibility for a varied caseload.

You will draft and negotiate contracts, advise on procurement projects, and work with external clients through First North Law LLP. The team operates in a supportive, flexible environment with hybrid working and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX to practice law.
• Experience in Commercial & Projects Law.
• Strong research and legal analysis skills.
• Ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues.
• Collaborative mindset and team player.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contracts for supplies, services and works.
• Advise on complex procurement projects supporting regeneration and development.
• Provide guidance on contracts, grants, subsidy control and procurement processes.
• Advise on insourcing, outsourcing, IP matters and joint-use arrangements.
• Support external clients through First North Law LLP.

Skills

Commercial & Projects Law

Legal analysis

Clear legal advice

Team collaboration

Education

Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX qualification

Job description

Location:Northallerton, North Yorkshire

About the team…

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (‘LDS’) within the Chief Executive’s Group. North Yorkshire Council provides a range of services to North Yorkshire, and the role of the Legal Service is to support that provision by providing a comprehensive and efficient legal service to the Directorates, the Council’s Executive, full Council, Committees and Members, and external clients. The nature of the work requires a flexible and versatile approach as it will change from time to time in response to the changing needs of the Council, and its developing initiatives. The postholder is required to work with colleagues and Members at every level within the organisation and with external clients and partners.

When taking up the post the postholder must hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX.

The role

This is a varied and high-profile legal role, providing expert advice and support across a broad range of commercial, procurement and governance matters.

Responsibilities

• drafting and negotiating contracts for supplies, services and works,
• advising on complex procurement projects that support regeneration and development, and providing guidance on contracts, grants, subsidy control and procurement processes.

The role also covers legal advice on insourcing and outsourcing arrangements, intellectual property matters, academisation and joint-use agreements, Council-owned companies and partnership models, while delivering specialist legal support to external clients through the Council’s wholly owned legal services company First North Law LLP.

You will

• Be part of a friendly and supportive team of professionals
• Have the opportunity work on high profile cases and to learn and develop in other disciplines within our service
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in orally and in writing to suit a range of audiences
• Have responsibility for your own caseload and be able to work independently

What you can bring

• Experience in Commercial & Projects Law
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• The ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

We welcome applications from anyone qualified and looking for a new and interesting challenge.

What We Offer You

• A supportive, professional team environment where you’ll grow your career.
• We offer hybrid working with the option to work from home and flexible hours, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• We’re committed to your growth, offering continuous learning, career progression opportunities, and financial support for additional qualifications.
• We recognise the importance of family time and well-being, offering generous leave and additional benefits like paid volunteering leave.
• Enjoy the security of a robust pension plan designed for your future.
• Take advantage of our employee benefits scheme which includes discounts on shopping, home tech, green car schemes, and more!

You will also have access to a range of benefits such as a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working, excellent pension scheme, salary sacrifice car, cycle, technology and childcare schemes and a package of ‘Everybody Benefits’ shopping vouchers, discounts and more.

Please see our total rewards brochure for more information.

NYC are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.