Corporate and Property Lawyer

Stoke on Trent City Council; Stoke-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking a qualified Solicitor or Fellow of CILEX for their Regulatory, Corporate and Property Team. The successful candidate will manage a diverse caseload, providing legal advisement on corporate governance, property disputes, and managing complex cases. This role offers a competitive salary with flexible working options and generous leave benefits. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply and be part of a team dedicated to improving community services.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid and flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Local authority benefits pension scheme

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of corporate and property law.
• Experience managing complex legal cases independently.
• Strong understanding of local authority and legislative issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to Council and senior leadership.
• Advise on corporate governance and information law.
• Draft legal documents for high-profile committees.

Skills

Corporate law expertise

Drafting legal documentation

Negotiation skills

Independent case management

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Fellow of CILEX

Job description

Directorate: Resources

Section: Legal

Location: Civic Centre

Grade: Level 12

Salary: £45,091 - £48,226 per annum

Hours: 37 – Full Time

This advert is open to Internal applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than a job, it's about making, protecting and improving services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Solicitor or Fellow of CILEX to join our Regulatory, Corporate and Property Team to undertake all aspects of corporate and property work.

You will handle a diverse caseload covering corporate and property law, including:

• Contracts, public procurement, partnerships, governance, information law, insolvency, grants and loans
• Conveyancing, property disputes, high-value sales and purchases, leases, licences and community asset transfers

In this role you will manage complex cases, negotiate with solicitors and third parties, draft high-level legal documents and act as a trusted legal advisor at high-profile committees, tribunals, panels and working groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior leaders including the Principal Solicitor, Head of Service and Director to ensure our legal services meet the Council’s business needs and customer requirements in line with strategic objectives.
• Deliver efficient and effective legal support to the Council, Committees and Departments.
• Stay ahead of legislation and local authority issues, providing clear advice and guidance to Members, officers and corporate bodies on complex legal matters, ensuring compliance with procedures and the law.
• Provide timely, practical legal advice to elected Members, officers and partners on the Council’s functions.

About You

• Have predominantly corporate law background
• A high level of understanding and awareness of the legal environment
• Experience in drafting a range of legal documentation relevant to the role
• Ability to work independently to management own caseload to meet deadlines

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Generous annual leave packing starting at 28 days plus bank holidays
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Chris Parry [e-mail]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

To Apply

Please create / log into your account and then click 'apply'. If you have any queries or want an application form in another format, please email [e-mail] or call us on 01782 238189.