Legal Officer

West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 32,428 - 39,635; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Free bus and rail travel

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Wellbeing support services

Modern office environment

Job summary

A regional governance authority in Leeds is seeking a motivated Legal Officer to join their Legal, Governance & Compliance Service Team. The role involves providing legal support for Bus Franchising and Mass Transit programmes, requiring strong skills in legal documentation, stakeholder communication, and a paralegal or law qualification. Benefits include flexible working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities. The position offers the possibility of hybrid working arrangements while playing a pivotal role in ensuring legal compliance for key projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in a legal role with drafting and advice.
• Knowledge in key practice areas: property, projects, procurement & contracts.
• Paralegal / CILEX qualification and law graduate minimum.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and review legal documentation effectively.
• Collaborate with lawyers on complex legal matters.
• Provide solution-focused legal advice.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting documentation

Stakeholder communication

Analytical skills

Education

Paralegal / CILEX qualification (Level 3 Diploma)

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

£36,032 per annum (pay award pending) - Grade 6

Leeds / Hybrid

Permanent / Full time (37 hours per week)

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part‑time working and/or job share.

Overview

We currently have a vacancy for a highly motivated Legal Officer to join our Legal, Governance & Compliance Service Team.

The team are the liaison on all required legal support for the Bus Franchising and Mass Transit programmes. They work with both internal Combined Authority legal teams and external legal partners to ensure the provision of a complete legal offer to enable the successful delivery of the programmes.

Benefits

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi‑time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family‑friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2‑minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft and review a wide range of documentation and provide advice to stakeholders in relation to the same, using initiative and judgement. Work independently on legal matters demonstrating a solid knowledge of policies, practices and procedures, and ensure effective case file management in compliance with quality assurance requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Legal team’s lawyers on more complex matters including drafting, research and provision of sound legal advice. Produce concise reports, responses to communications and presentations in relation to own casework or as required by a Lawyer within the Legal Service.
• Apply good communication, influencing skills and strong analytical skills to provide solution‑focused advice which demonstrates a thorough understanding of the aims and objectives of the Combined Authority.

Qualifications

• Paralegal / CILEX qualification (Level 3 Diploma); Degree with Law conversion qualification or law graduate as a minimum.
• Practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role.
• Experience of legal research, drafting and advice.
• Demonstrable good knowledge and experience within one of the key practice areas: property, projects, procurement & contracts, transport services.

Application

• Complete the application form and support statement. Tell us why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements under the ‘About You’ section of the advert and criteria within the Role Profile.
• Contact Andrea Thorne via [e-mail] or 0113 348 1200 for further discussion.

Further Information – Each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, unfortunately we are unable to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful. We do however thank you for your application and encourage you to continue looking for roles on our Careers with Us website page.