Principal Education Lawyer

NW Legal Consortium; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Family-friendly policies

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Training and development opportunities

Financial and travel benefits

Job summary

Lancashire County Council seeks a Principal Education Lawyer to lead a small specialist team and advise senior stakeholders on education law and employment matters. The role requires an ambitious legal professional with governance experience and a current practising certificate.

You will work with Directors, in‑house services, schools and external partners to shape service delivery and ensure compliance, reporting to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Lead a small specialist team and advise at senior levels.
• Collaborate with Directors, Heads of Service, in‑house teams, schools and external stakeholders to drive service improvement.
• Demonstrate drive and passion to deliver high‑quality education legal services.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a specialist education legal team.
• Advise Local Authorities, Schools or Public Sector on Employment law.
• Lead, inspire and motivate a professional team to deliver high‑quality service.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Advisory skills

Education

Honours degree in a relevant discipline

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with practising certificate

Job description

Job Identification: 20934
Job Category: Legal & Governance
Posting Date: 09/10/2026, 04:20 PM
Apply Before: 10/01/2026, 11:59 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RE, GB
(Hybrid)

Job Description

Salary £55,612 to £60,147 Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Preston

We’re looking for a specialist Education Lawyer with a drive and passion to deliver an effective and very specialist service to our stakeholders.

About The Role

• You’ll manage a small but specialist team whilst advising, influencing, shaping and challenging at senior levels to deliver an effective service.
• As the Principal Education Lawyer you will work collaboratively with Directors, Heads of Service, in‑house services, schools and external stakeholders to ensure service improvement, ongoing compliance and delivery of strategic objectives.
• You’ll be an ambitious & experienced Education Legal professional looking to take the next step in your career alongside possessing the drive and passion to create a better environment for the people within our region.
• You’ll ideally have an honours degree in a relevant discipline alongside admitted Solicitor or Barrister status (England and Wales) with a current practising certificate
• You’ll have an excellent understanding and experience of operating within the legal frameworks and requirements of Local Authority governance
• You’ll have extensive previous professional experience within Education Law
• Excellent previous experience of advising Local Authorities, Schools or Public Sector organisations on Employment law matters
• You’ll have previous experience of leading, developing and motivating a professional team
• Demonstrative experience of being the driver of a high quality service provision
• You’ll be an excellent communicator able and comfortable communicating with a range of stakeholders at all levels

About Us

At Lancashire County Council, we’re committed to delivering services that make a real difference to the people and communities we serve. Our Information Governance Team is at the heart of that mission, helping ensure transparency, accountability and the responsible use of information.

When you join us, you’ll become part of a supportive and knowledgeable team where your expertise is valued, your development is encouraged and your contribution has a direct impact across the organisation.

In return, we offer:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities
• Health and wellbeing support
• Family-friendly policies
• Financial and travel benefits
• Training and development opportunities

Please refer to the job description and personal specification for further information regarding the scope of work and responsibilities for the post.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, 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.