Contracts Lawyer

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Boldon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a qualified solicitor to support South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. The role centers on drafting, negotiating and approving contracts, with advice on procurement law and local government matters.

You will handle major procurements and regeneration projects, advise on governance, data protection and FOI, and provide legal services across contracts, procurement and corporate matters.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or Fellow of CILEx, or equivalent qualification.
• Current practising certificate or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in contracts or procurement.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate and approve contracts across the councils.
• Advise on procurement legislation, procedures and documents.
• Draft, negotiate and approve grant, loan, nomination and service level agreements.
• Assist Principal Contract Lawyer and external solicitors with major procurements and regeneration projects.
• Advise on local government law, governance of shared services, subsidy control, data protection and FOI.
• Provide legal services to the councils, particularly contracts, procurement and corporate matters.

Skills

Contract drafting

Procurement law

Communication skills

Deadline driven

Case management

Education

Qualified solicitor / barrister / CILEx

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Email

Case management systems

Job description

This legal post supports South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils across their services. The work centres on drafting, negotiating and approving a wide range of contracts, alongside advice on procurement law and local government matters. It has a particular focus on contracts and procurement, including support on major procurements and regeneration schemes with external solicitors. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK, as no visa sponsorship is available.

What the job involves

• Draft, negotiate and approve a broad range of contracts across the councils' functions, including construction, service consultancy and IT contracts
• Advise on contracts and procurement legislation, procedures and documents, including procurement regulations and procedure rules
• Draft, negotiate and approve grant, loan, nomination and service level agreements
• Assist the Principal Contract Lawyer and external solicitors with major procurements and town centre and regeneration projects
• Advise on local government law, including governance of shared services, subsidy control, data protection and freedom of information
• Provide legal services to the councils, particularly contracts, procurement and corporate matters

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or Fellow of CILEx, or equivalent qualification

Registration & licences

• Current practising certificate or equivalent

Experience

• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in contracts or procurement

Skills & knowledge

• High standard of written and oral communication and drafting
• Thorough knowledge of contracts and procurement law
• Ability to handle contract work with limited supervision, under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Use of Microsoft Word, Excel, email and time recording or case management systems
• Recording and tracking the progress of a team

Checks & eligibility

• Legal right to work in the UK, as no visa sponsorship is available

What’s offered

• Flexible hours system supporting work-life balance