Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commercial) - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Devon is seeking a Senior Lawyer (Contracts / Commercial) to join their Legal Services Team. This role requires a motivated professional with expertise in public sector legal work. You will provide legal advice, lead commercial contracts caseload and contribute to the council's goals. The position offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working approach.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years post qualification experience.
• A high level of knowledge of law and procedure in public procurement or commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial, procurement, and contracts caseload.
• Provide clear advice to senior officers and elected members.
• Support agendas pertinent to the success of Torbay.

Skills

Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to provide clear and accurate complex legal advice

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Education

Admitted and practicing Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Job description

Application Deadline: 18 August 2025

Department: Corporate Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £53,718 - £56,710 / year

Description

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

Job Description & Person Specification >

Torbay is breathtaking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and the Council’s own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area’s profile and many assets.

As a small unitary authority, you’ll discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition - which is evident by our success in being awarded the ‘Most Improved Council’ at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2023. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.

To complement this journey, we are now seeking a Senior Lawyer (Contracts / Commercial) to join our Legal Services Team to lead our commercial, procurement and contracts caseload. Providing an opportunity to step into a varied agenda, that straddles both the public and private realm working on behalf of the council, its wholly owned companies and partners, this is a role that would suit a curious and motivated professional looking to diversify their specialism. Ideally you will also have a solid understanding of, or previous exposure to, public sector legal work.

This varied role provides a platform to be actively involved, supporting key agendas pertinent to the success and prosperity of Torbay, its residents, businesses, and wider communities. No two days will be the same, for which those already working within local government will attest to and actively thrive upon.

Undertaking the role of Senior Lawyer, alongside your technical ability, you will be an enthusiastic, confident and creative thinking professional that can influence and drive progress, whilst providing clear and credible advice to senior officers and elected members. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, where your talent will be valued and actively developed. At Torbay Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from our people, and we are excited for you to join us.

We also understand the importance of an effective work-life balance, therefore offer an enviable hybrid working approach. This is managed effectively around the need to attend essential meetings and/or make court appearances in line with the remit of the role.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of the highest standards and outcomes for its residents.

We would welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates.

This post requires a Standard Criminal Level Check. This will show details of all spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions that have not been filtered in line with legislation.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-contracts-and-commercial/

For an informal chat please contact Philip Taylor on 01803 207142 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 8th September 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:

• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal to varied audiences.
• Ability to provide clear and accurate complex legal advice in accordance with corporate policies and prevailing legislation in a local government setting.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, to interpret information and determine informed and appropriate solutions.

As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Knowledge

Essential:

• A high level of knowledge of the law and procedure within the specialist discipline, with knowledge and understanding of at least one of the following:
  • Public procurement / contracts legislation;
  • Commercial contracts;
  • Construction contracts (JCT, NEC).
    
    

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Admitted and practicing Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience.