Lawyer (Contracts)

Cotswold District Council; Cirencester; Hybrid; GBP 51,000; Part time

Job summary

Cotswold District Council is seeking an experienced Contracts Lawyer to provide high-quality legal services across multiple councils. The role requires expertise in contract law, advising council members, and handling casework independently. Enjoy agile working and a range of benefits in a vibrant community.

Benefits

Agile working

Flexible working arrangements

27 days paid annual leave

Health cash plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car lease scheme

Generous sickness cover

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in Contracts, Procurement, or Local Government.
• Commitment to Continuous Professional Development.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal services to multiple councils.
• Advise on legal matters and ensure lawful decisions.
• Draft and review contracts and support committees.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Education

Solicitor

Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

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£50,788 per annum pro rata, 22.5 hours per week

Cirencester/Witney or Coleford

Proud, passionate, ambitious - it couldn’t be a more exciting time to work for Cotswold District Council. We’re searching for the very best people to join us.

The Cotswold District is a great place, and we are rightly proud of our businesses, communities and residents. We’re busy recreating a council that’s pro-active and responsive to the needs of our residents and businesses in a fast-changing environment. That means we need to be ‘fleet of foot’ and look for innovative and creative ways to deliver against our Corporate Plan priorities.

The Council has an ambitious Council Plan focussed on a range of important priorities including climate action, strong local communities, and a vibrant district economy.

About the role…

You are an experienced Contracts Lawyer, capable of working independently to provide high-quality legal services to Cotswold, Forest of Dean, and West Oxfordshire District Councils.

With expertise in contract law, you will advise Council Officers and Members on a range of legal matters, ensuring decisions are lawful and robust. You will confidently handle casework with minimal supervision, draft and review contracts, provide legal reports, and support committees as needed. Your ability to interpret legislation, offer practical solutions, and mentor junior staff will contribute to the effective operation of the Councils.

With a range of gently rolling hills and the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in England making it a perfect base for walking and cycling, you will have this right on your doorstep. With our agile working ethos: you will be spoilt for choice.

You will need…

• Fully qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• Evidence of and commitment to Continuous Professional Development
• 3-5 years’ experience in one, or a combination of the following fields: Contracts, Procurement and Local Government.
• Experience of time management and task prioritisation to meet inflexible deadlines.
• Experience of working as a member of a team to produce high quality work.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and sustain relationships with a variety of people both within and external to the Council.
• Ability to travel and use a car for work purposes
• BPSS
• There may be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business, but the Council supports agile working through home working and flexitime
• Expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the Service

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

What can we do for you…

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
• In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements

Terms and conditions apply

These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us!

To apply for this position please click on "apply now" within this page to complete an application form and supporting statement together with your CV. Please tell us about your skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and how they meet the criteria listed above and in the job description/person specification. It’s important that we’re a good fit for each other, so let us know what’s important to you and why you want to work for Cotswold District Council. Your CV will not be available to the hiring manager unless you are shortlisted for interview to assist with our non-biased screening process so please ensure you complete the application form in full.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.