Principal Employment Lawyer (Technical) | Preston

Lancashire County Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

26 days annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Family-friendly policies

Financial and travel benefits

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a Principal Employment Lawyer (Technical) to provide expert advice and representation on complex Employment Law matters. The role is fixed-term for 12 months and involves advising senior stakeholders, shaping workforce projects and ensuring lawful decision-making across the council.

The successful candidate will have admission as a Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales), extensive PQE in Employment Law, and experience working with Local Authorities, unions,

Qualifications

• Honours degree and admitted Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate (England & Wales).
• Strong understanding of Local Authority governance and Employment Law.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in Employment Law.
• Experience advising Local Authorities or Public Sector bodies on Employment law matters.
• Experience of Employment Tribunal and dispute resolution.
• Proven ability to work with Trade Unions, ACAS and external advisers.
• Drive to provide on-the-front-line legal advice and guidance, and communicate with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and representation on Employment Law for the Council.
• Advise, influence and challenge at senior levels to support strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with specialist Legal colleagues to support governance, risk management and service development.

Skills

Employment law

Public sector experience

Dispute resolution

Stakeholder communication

Education

Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with current practicing certificate

Honours degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Salary £55,612 to £60,147 Per annum | Fixed-Term 12 month contract, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Salary £55,612 to £60,147 Per annum | Fixed-Term 12 month contract, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Principal Employment Lawyer (Technical)

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

The role will be on a fixed-term basis for a period of 12-months.

About The Role

As Principal Employment Lawyer your role will be to act as of the council's senior legal professionals providing expert legal advice and representation on Employment Law matters.

You'll be heavily involved and integrated within your service area, advising, influencing, shaping and challenging at senior levels to support the delivery of strategic priorities, workforce projects and statutory functions.

You'll work alongside specialist Legal colleagues to support corporate priorities, transformation projects, workforce initiatives, service development and effective risk management, ensuring lawful and robust decision-making throughout the Council.

About You

You'll be an ambitious & experienced Employment 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 practicing 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 post-qualification professional experience within Employment Law
• Excellent previous experience of advising Local Authorities or Public Sector organisations on Employment law matters
• Previous experience of Employment Tribunal and Dispute resolution
• Demonstrative experience of working with Trade Unions, ACAS and other external legal advisers
• You’ll possess the drive to be on the front line providing Legal advice ad guidance
• 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

• Competitive salary
• 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

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.