Principal Commercial & Procurement Lawyer | Preston

Lancashire County Council; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a Principal Commercial & Procurement Lawyer to join its Legal Services team in Preston on a hybrid basis. The role involves advising on complex commercial and procurement matters across major projects and strategic initiatives, with a focus on robust, compliant contracts and high-stakes negotiations.

You will work with senior leaders, shape decisions, mentor colleagues and contribute to a high-performing team delivering innovative service models for

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in commercial and procurement matters.
• Experience advising on complex, high-value strategic projects.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex legal issues.
• Confidence engaging with senior leaders and influencing key decisions.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for developing others.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on a diverse portfolio of commercial and procurement matters across major projects.
• Support corporate priorities and innovative service delivery models.
• Advise on high-value procurement exercises and commercial strategy.
• Draft complex contracts and commercial agreements to ensure lawful, robust decisions.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor colleagues and contribute to a high-performing legal team.

Skills

Commercial & procurement law

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Senior leader engagement

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

Salary 57,447 to 62,132 per annum | Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston/Hybrid

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Are you an experienced Commercial and Procurement Lawyer looking for a role where your advice directly influences large-scale public services, strategic transformation programmes and high‑value projects? We’re looking for a talented legal professional to join our highly regarded Legal Services team as a Principal Commercial & Procurement Lawyer.

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of one of the largest local authorities in the country, supporting complex commercial arrangements and procurement activity that make a real difference to communities across Lancashire.

The Role

As one of the Council’s senior legal specialists, you’ll provide expert advice on a diverse portfolio of commercial and procurement matters, supporting major projects, corporate priorities and innovative service delivery models.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders, project teams and stakeholders across the organisation, helping shape decisions, manage risk and deliver successful outcomes.

From advising on high‑value procurement exercises and commercial strategy to drafting complex contracts and commercial agreements, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring lawful, robust and commercially sound decision-making.

You’ll also have the opportunity to provide technical leadership, mentor colleagues and contribute to the development of a high‑performing legal team.

About You

We’re looking for a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with significant experience of commercial and procurement law.

You’ll bring:

• Extensive expertise in commercial and procurement matters.
• Experience advising on complex, high‑value strategic projects.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex legal issues.
• Confidence engaging with senior leaders and influencing key decisions.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for developing others.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your legal career and want to play a leading role in delivering strategic legal support across a large and ambitious organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 11/10/2026

Why join us?

By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring.

Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you’ve always wanted. In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

• A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
• A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service.
• You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
• Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
• Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Local Government Reorganisation The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council.

However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities.

By joining us now, you’ll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.

Job Description & Person Specification

Full time

Posting Date: 2026-09-21