Commercial Solicitor

North East Combined Authority; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Excellent Pension Scheme

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Discounts & Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Commercial Lawyer to join our Legal team, delivering clear expert advice on commercial contracts and public sector procurement, with a focus on governance and compliance. You will manage a varied caseload, build relationships with services and stakeholders, and operate within a flexible hybrid working environment that supports work-life balance and development opportunities.

The role offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEx Fellow with current practicing certificate.
• Experience in commercial and public procurement law.
• Experience in local government/public sector context.
• Ability to provide clear, practical and solution-focused advice.
• Excellent research and drafting skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on commercial contracts and public sector procurement law (construction, IT, grants, JV, subsidy control).
• Stay up to date with legislation (Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, Subsidy Control Act 2022).
• Advise on Contract Procedure Rules, delegations and governance procedures.
• Manage public procurement tenders and commercial contracts.
• Build relationships with internal/external clients and stakeholders.
• Instruct external specialists when required.
• Maintain close contact with the Service Manager on issues.
• Provide concise advice on complex issues to senior officers at board/committee meetings.
• Take on other duties appropriate to the grade.

Skills

Procurement law

Public sector

Client focus

Research & drafting

Case management

Communication

Contract law

Education

Qualified solicitor with practicing certificate

Job description

Commercial Lawyer - Minimum 40% of time spent in the office, Civic Centre, Gateshead.

Where commercial strategy meets exceptional legal expertise.

Who we are & what we stand for

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Your expertise. Our ambition. Real impact.

Our Legal team provides comprehensive advice and support across both contentious and non-contentious matters, helping to ensure lawful, robust, and high-quality decision-making across the organisation. The team covers a broad portfolio of specialist areas, including Commercial and Regulatory Law, Litigation, and Property, Planning and Highways. The team plays a vital role in enabling effective service delivery and protecting Gateshead Council's interests. This is a dynamic, solutions-focused team supporting colleagues at every level.

Expert legal thinking for real-world results.

The Commercial Lawyer role is central to the delivery of Gateshead Council’s ambitions to make Gateshead a place where everyone can thrive. This role supports the Council in delivering its priorities by providing clear, expert legal advice on commercial contracts and public sector procurement. You’ll work on a broad mix of matters, from construction and IT contracts to grants, joint ventures and subsidy control, ensuring compliance with legislation and the Council’s governance framework. You’ll manage your own procurement and contracting work, build strong relationships with services and stakeholders, and provide concise advice to senior officers on complex issues. This is a key role helping to secure lawful, effective and value-driven commercial activity across the organisation.

What you’ll get to do:

• Provide legal advice and support in relation to commercial contracts and public sector procurement law matters, including (but not limited to) construction contracts, IT contracts, grant funding agreements, joint ventures and subsidy control.
• Be up to date with the relevant legislation, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, Subsidy Control Act 2022, case law, guidance, procedure and policy in respect of commercial contracts and public procurement law to ensure accurate and effective advice is provided.
• Advise on and apply the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, scheme of delegations and other governance procedures.
• Take responsibility for the preparation and effective management of a range of public procurement tenders and commercial contracts.
• Build relationships with internal and external clients and key stakeholders.
• Instruct external specialists as and when required.
• Maintain close contact with the Service Manager on all issues.
• Providing concise advice on complex legal issues to senior council officers / directors at board and committee meetings
• Respond cooperatively with reasonable requests to undertake other responsibilities allocated that are appropriate to the grade of the post.

What you’ll bring (Essential Criteria)

• Legally qualified professional - Qualified solicitor, barrister or fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with a current practicing certificate, and the capability to work confidently at a level typically gained through several years of post-qualification practice.
• Keen to develop deep expertise in all areas of commercial and public procurement law, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, subsidy control, case law, and related policies and procedures.
• Strong client-focused approach, able to build trust, understand service needs and provide clear, practical and solution-focused advice.
• Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills, with the ability to produce accurate, concise and well-reasoned legal documents.
• Highly organised, able to manage a varied caseload, prioritise effectively and deliver work to tight or competing deadlines.
• Clear and confident communicator, able to explain complex issues simply and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with corporate clients and/or within a local government environment, or the ability to quickly adapt to the public-sector context.
• Experience in commercial / public, procurement or contract law, or demonstrable transferable skills and a strong motivation to specialise in this area.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation