Principal Lawyer - Commercial Team

North Northamptonshire Council; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Benefits Scheme

Wellbeing support

Hybrid and flexible working

Job summary

North Northamptonshire Council seeks an experienced leader to manage the Commercial Team (Property, Contracts and Procurement) within Legal Services. You will provide strategic legal leadership to ensure timely, solution-focused advice for client services and robust governance across Council decisions.

The role involves managing major cases, overseeing external providers, and driving service improvements while maintaining a values-driven culture. A competitive salary and pension are offered.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or FCILEx with current practising status.
• Continued professional development evidence required.
• Extensive experience in contracts & procurement and property.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal leadership across the Commercial Team within Legal Services.
• Advise Committees, Sub-Committees and Council Boards on complex matters.
• Manage risk, major casework and external providers for value for money.
• Support governance, ethical standards and lawful decision-making across the Council.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team with a focus on continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Legal risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/FCILEx

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to manage the Commercial Team, comprising Property, Contracts and Procurement, for the Council's Legal Services function, overseeing both in-house provision and external legal support. Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the service and providing professional leadership across the Commercial team. The Principal Lawyer is a senior member of Legal Services, responsible for delivering high-quality legal advice, leading complex casework and supporting the organisation's strategic objectives. The role ensures that legal risk is effectively managed while enabling informed decision-making across the organisation. Interviews will take place w/c 2nd November 2026 and will include a presentation as part of the selection process. What will you be doing? Lead and shape the Commercial Team setting direction, driving high performance, and ensuring the delivery of timely, solution-focused legal advice to client services. Support the Head of Legal, ensuring strong governance, ethical standards, and that all Council decision-making is lawful and compliant. Provide legal representation and advice to Committees, Sub-Committees and other Council Boards as required. Provide expert advice to client services on complex, high-risk matters. Manage legal risk, overseeing major casework, litigation and ensuring robust risk identification, mitigation, and communication. Manage a high-performing team, promoting professional excellence, continuous improvement and a positive, values-driven culture. Oversee the use of external legal providers, ensuring high-quality advice and value for money. Ensure efficiency and sustainability within the service budget. Drive service improvement, enhancing systems, processes, and digital capability to deliver modern, effective legal services., We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups. About us Our Values and Behaviours Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:

• Customer-focused
• Respectful
• Efficient
• Supportive
• Trustworthy
• Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEx
• Have evidence of continuing professional development
• Have extensive experience in a relevant specialist area to include Contracts & Procurement and Property.
• Have experience managing complex, high-risk and high-profile legal matters.
• Have experience managing staff and leading legal teams of multiple legal disciplines/specialisms.
• Have experience in local government or wider public sector including strong knowledge of local government law, governance, the Constitution and decision-making processes.
• Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we're transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.
• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.