Local Government Legal Director

eNL Legal Recruitment; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

eNL Legal in the West Midlands is seeking an experienced Local Government & Public Sector Solicitor at Legal Director level to lead high-profile matters and shape the firm's public sector offering. Hybrid working, 5+ PQE, and a market-leading platform.

You'll work on nationally significant projects, advise public bodies and private clients, build client relationships, drive business development, and mentor colleagues as part of a growing national team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in public procurement, subsidies and government contracts.
• Strong understanding of local government operations and policy context.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to develop client relationships and win work.
• Experience integrating legal advice with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Advise public bodies and private clients on complex public sector and commercial matters.
• Lead major procurement exercises and subsidy control matters.
• Guide grants, funding agreements and commercial contracts.
• Develop senior client relationships and new business opportunities.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to practice growth.

Skills

Public sector law

Client relationships

Business development

Negotiation

Drafting

Team leadership

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Local Government & Public Sector Solicitor (Legal Director), 5+ Years PQE, West Midlands / Hybrid Working, £90,000+ (DOE) – Are you an ambitious public sector lawyer looking for an opportunity to take your career to the next level? Do you want to work on nationally significant projects, build influential client relationships and play a leading role in the growth of a highly regarded practice? JOB REF:5989.

We are looking for an experienced local government and public sector lawyer to join a nationally recognised Commercial team at Legal Director level.

This impressive team is involved in some of the most exciting and complex projects across the UK public sector. From major regeneration and infrastructure initiatives to high-profile funding programmes and strategic procurement projects, they advise a broad range of public bodies, government organisations and private sector clients on matters that have a real impact on communities and the wider economy.

With an established reputation in Public Procurement and Subsidy Control, this is an opportunity to join a practice with an excellent platform, a strong national presence and ambitious plans for further growth.

An opportunity to make your mark

This is much more than a technical legal role. As a senior member of the team, you'll have the opportunity to become a trusted adviser to key clients, take the lead on significant matters and help shape the future direction of the practice.

You'll work alongside experienced partners and colleagues across the country, combining high-quality legal work with strategic client development and wider commercial opportunities.

We are keen to hear from established Legal Directors as well as ambitious Senior Associates who are ready to make their first move into a Director position. We are also open to considering strong Associates with the right experience and ambition.

What you'll be doing

You'll work on a varied and challenging portfolio of public sector matters, with opportunities to:

• Advise local authorities, central government bodies, Mayoral Combined Authorities and private sector organisations on complex public sector and commercial issues.
• Play a leading role in major procurement exercises, funding arrangements, regeneration schemes and Subsidy Control matters.
• Guide clients through the development and delivery of grant programmes, funding agreements and commercial contracts.
• Build and strengthen relationships with senior client stakeholders, becoming a go-to adviser on strategically important projects.
• Work closely with colleagues across the national Commercial practice to deliver joined-up advice and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Help drive the team's business development strategy, developing new opportunities and expanding our existing client base.
• Share your expertise, support the development of junior lawyers and contribute to a positive, ambitious team culture.

What we're looking for

You'll be a qualified solicitor with a strong background in public sector, local government or commercial law. You'll understand the challenges facing public bodies and be comfortable navigating the relationship between legal requirements, political considerations, public policy and commercial objectives.

You'll ideally bring:

• Significant experience in one or more of the areas of public procurement, Subsidy Control, grant funding and public sector commercial arrangements.
• A good understanding of how local and central government operate, including the wider political and policy environment in which public bodies make decisions.
• The ability to advise on complex legal issues while understanding the practical and commercial outcomes clients are seeking to achieve.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders.
• A track record of developing strong and lasting client relationships.
• A proactive and commercially minded approach, with an interest in developing business and raising the profile of the practice.
• The ability to work collaboratively, manage competing priorities and deliver consistently high standards of service.
• Experience gained in-house within local government, central government or the Government Legal Department would be particularly valuable.

On offer

You'll be joining a team with a strong national reputation, an impressive client base and the opportunity to work on projects that genuinely shape the public sector landscape.

They offer the platform, support and flexibility to help you develop your career, grow your client relationships and make a meaningful contribution to an ambitious and expanding practice.

CANDIDATE CARE

eNL will never share your CV with a third party without your express permission. As part of our candidate care process, we aim to respond to all applications within 7 days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that advertised PQE and salary levels are intended as a guide only.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

At eNL, we value diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.