Senior Lawyer (Commercial & Contract)

North West Legal Consortium; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 52,413 - 53,460; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 26+ days

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Learning and development

Job summary

Bury Council’s Legal Services Team is seeking a Senior Lawyer (Commercial & Contract) to lead on complex procurement matters and provide specialist advice to multiple client departments.

This permanent role offers hybrid working, a salary of £52,413–£53,460, and 37 hours per week, with some meetings outside regular hours. The post is based at Bury Town Hall and supports council-wide legal needs.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEx Lawyer with practicing certificate.
• Experience advising on contracts and procurement matters.
• Experience drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts.
• Experience drafting and advising on construction, building, and engineering contracts.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement law and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Knowledge of subsidy control legislation and local government.
• Knowledge of local government law and governance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborative approach to working.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and complex caseload and progress matters.
• Provide high-quality legal advice to departments and elected Members.
• Build and maintain relationships across departments and external stakeholders.
• Coach and develop junior team members.
• Contribute to strategic thinking and ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.

Skills

Contracts & procurement

Public procurement law

Negotiation

Drafting

Stakeholder communication

Leadership & coaching

Education

Qualified solicitor / barrister / CILEx Lawyer

Job description

• Job reference: 002229
• Salary: £52,413 – £53,460
• Closing date: 16/08/2026
• Department: Corporate Core
• Location: Bury Town Hall
• Employment type: Permanent
• Division: Legal Services
• Hours Per Week: 37

Senior Lawyer (Commercial & Contract) – Transform Lives Through Law
Join Bury Council’s Award-Winning Legal Services Team
Salary: £52,413 – £53,460 | Permanent | 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday, some meetings outside of regular hours may be required | Hybrid Working | Bury, Town Hall

Your Opportunity to Make a Lasting Impact

Are you a legal professional looking for a challenging and rewarding role where you can use your skills to make a real difference? If so, we want to hear from you.

Bury Legal Services plays a vital role in supporting the Council’s vision for the borough, and we are looking for a Senior Lawyer to join our team and contribute to delivering high-quality legal services to our several client departments.

About Your Role

As a Senior Lawyer, you will lead on complex commercial and procurement matters, providing specialist legal advice, managing a varied caseload and resolving contractual disputes. You will utilise excellent drafting and negotiation skills to support the Council in securing effective contractual arrangements. You will also have the opportunity to provide significant input to the development and implementation of our legal compliance policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and complex caseload, ensuring all matters are progressed effectively
• Provide high-quality legal advice to departments and elected Members on the Council’s legal powers, duties and functions
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across departments and with external stakeholders, communicating clearly and effectively
• Support, coach and develop junior team members, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative legal service
• Contribute to strategic thinking within the service, using sound judgement to challenge, innovate and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and best practice

About You

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEx Lawyer with relevant practice rights and valid practising certificate
• Demonstrable experience advising on contracts and procurement matters
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts and agreements
• Experience drafting and advising on construction, building, and engineering contracts
• Experience managing a substantial and complex caseload with competing priorities
• Detailed knowledge of public procurement law and practice, including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated legislation
• Good knowledge of subsidy control legislation and its application to local government activities
• Up-to-date knowledge of local government law, governance, decision-making and the statutory framework within which local authorities operate
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Collaborative approach to working, contributing to shared objectives and outcomes

Our Benefits Package

• Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days after five years of Local Government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• Leading Pension: Enrolled in the UK’s largest Local Government Pension Scheme, with life cover of three times your salary as a lump sum and options to top up your benefits.
• Enhanced Parental and Carers Leave: Access enhanced family leave options to bond with your newborn or support family during critical life events.
• Brilliant Perks: Discounts on shop, holidays, phone contracts, cycle‑to‑work scheme, free flu jabs, eye tests and more.
• Learning and Growth: Diverse learning opportunities, workshops, training sessions, apprenticeships and qualifications, supported by a comprehensive onboarding process.
• Good Employment Charter Member: Secure, flexible work, annual pay reviews, trade union recognition, health and wellbeing support, and two days pro‑rata paid volunteering leave.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered. Commitment to a workforce that reflects community diversity.
• Reasonable Adjustments and Disability Confident Employer: Workplace Adjustment Hub, Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network, and Mental Health Staff Network to provide safe, inclusive spaces.
• Guaranteed Assessment Scheme: Assessment guaranteed for applicants meeting shortlisting criteria who identify with Armed Forces, current or former care leavers, or individuals with disability or long‑term health condition.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel and veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Individuals with a disability or long-term health condition

About Bury

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance. Candidates must provide a full employment history and reference coverage for the past ten years; character references will not be accepted.