Procurement and Contracts Lawyer

Harlow Council; Harlow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Generous leave

Wellbeing initiatives

Employee assistance

Development opportunities

LGPS

Employee benefits

Work-life balance

Job summary

Harlow Council is seeking a Procurement and Contracts Lawyer to join its Legal Services team. You will provide high-quality legal advice on public procurement, commercial contracts, governance and company matters to support officers, senior managers and members in delivering complex projects while effectively managing legal risk.

The role emphasizes a commercially minded approach within a forward-thinking local authority; equality and flexible working are promoted, with office presence four days

Qualifications

• Experience advising on procurement, contracts and governance in public or private sectors.
• Solid understanding of public procurement legislation and applying it practically.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Collaborative approach with ability to support officers, managers and members.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice on procurement, contracts and governance.
• Support officers and senior managers to deliver complex projects while managing risk.
• Develop and deliver a modern, forward-thinking local authority.

Skills

Procurement law

Commercial contracts

Governance matters

Contract drafting

Legal advisory

Collaboration

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week (banking 30 minutes per week to be used towards the shut down between Christmas and the New Year). Harlow District Council is hiring. Harlow is an ambitious council with an exciting programme of regeneration, investment and transformation. As the town continues to grow, we are seeking a talented Procurement and Contracts Lawyer to join our Legal Services team and help deliver the Council's strategic priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer to work on a wide range of procurement, contract and governance matters, supporting services across the Council and contributing to projects that make a real difference to our residents, businesses and communities.

The Role

You will provide high-quality legal advice on public procurement, commercial contracts, governance and company matters. You will support officers, senior managers and members in delivering complex projects, ensuring that legal risks are appropriately managed while enabling the Council to achieve its objectives.

• Experience advising on procurement, commercial contract and governance matters, either within local government, the wider public sector or private practice.
• A sound understanding of public procurement legislation and the ability to apply legal principles in a practical and proportionate way.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial contracts and related legal documentation.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering high-quality legal services.
• A desire to develop your expertise and contribute to a modern, forward-thinking local authority.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact, work on complex and varied matters, and help shape the future of one of the country's fastest-growing towns, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the Essential Criteria on the Employee Profile.

We offer flexibility with purpose through our Dynamic Working approach. While office-based work is the norm, most full-time employees attend the workplace four days per week (pro rata). We also support a range of flexible arrangements to help balance work and personal life and provide health and wellbeing initiatives and an employee assistance programme.

Why Harlow?

Harlow is on a bold journey to become the most forward-thinking and impactful council in the country. Harlow is one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK, where major investment is transforming the town - with a new hospital, vibrant neighbourhoods, and a revitalised town centre on the horizon. Our ambitious plan focuses on six transformational missions to improve housing, safety, jobs, and health for every resident, and we are delivering on those missions at pace.

This is your chance to be part of a council that's leading change, restoring pride, and shaping a better future for generations to come.

Our policies support our employees by enabling a positive work/life balance including flexible working where possible. We foster a culture of collaborative working and expect staff to be in the office four days a week.

Benefits

• pension scheme
• generous annual leave entitlement
• health and wellbeing initiatives
• employee assistance programme
• development opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• employee benefits scheme
• positive work/ life balance