Senior Lawyer (Contracts & Commissioning)

Swale Borough Council; Sittingbourne; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking a Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commissioning) to manage complex contracts and provide high-level legal support. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with post-qualification experience in local government law. Opportunities for hybrid working and generous benefits are offered, including flexible hours and professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or barrister or equivalent qualification and experience.
• Post qualification legal practice experience in contracts and commissioning.
• Experience advising Members on contracts and commissioning law.

Responsibilities

• Manage a substantial caseload of complex contracts and commissioning work.
• Provide high-level legal advice to elected members and staff.
• Supervise less senior fee earners and ensure high-quality support.

Skills

Qualified solicitor or equivalent

Post qualification legal practice experience

Experience in contracts and commissioning law

Knowledge of local government processes

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive

Job description

About Us

Mid Kent Legal Services (MKLS) provides legal services and advice across the Mid-Kent area (to Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells councils). The service covers Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance. Working across multiple councils means a range of high-level, challenging and impactful work ranging from supporting the delivery of garden communities, to the redevelopment of large shopping centres, to letting very large contracts, to delivering affordable housing.

MKLS has a reputation for being forward thinking, progressive and innovative and is closely and strongly aligned with its partner authorities. It provides a supportive and nurturing environment, providing opportunities for staff to progress internally and uses technology to maximise the effective use of lawyers' time. In short, it is a great place to work.

Role

We are now looking for a Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commissioning) to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working 34 hours per week.

What We Offer

• 34 hour full-time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave
• Additional 3 days leave to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
• Free parking
• Flexible working opportunities to accommodate home/work life balance (including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time)
• Invitations to staff events supporting wellbeing, including holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme with confidential and independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with life cover and financial protection for your family
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for LGPS members)
• Season Ticket Loan for rail/bus commute
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme with insurance, servicing and road tax included
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• Professional fee payment, if required for the role

About the Role

As our Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commissioning), you will manage a substantial caseload of complex contracts and commissioning work. Ensuring we operate at the forefront of legal excellence and align with Lexcel standards, you will provide high-level legal advice and services to elected members, senior managers and staff across all three local authorities. You will supervise less senior fee earners and Legal Support Officers, ensuring high-quality support in legal transactions.

Additionally, you will:

• Stay updated on legal developments in contracts and commissioning law/practice
• Represent MKLS in internal working groups and external meetings
• Deputise for the Team Leader when required
• Uphold the Council policies

This is an exciting time to join the MKLS Contracts & Commissioning Team with a number of large and high-profile projects happening across the Partner Authorities.

About You

To be considered as our Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commissioning), you will need:

• To be a qualified solicitor, barrister, chartered legal executive or have equivalent qualification and experience
• Post qualification legal practice experience in contracts and commissioning
• Experience providing legal advice and support to senior leaders and key decision-makers in contracts and commissioning law and practice
• Experience advising Members on all aspects of contracts and commissioning law and procedures
• Experience operating in politically sensitive environments
• Knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and democratic process
• A full, valid UK driving licence

Other organisations may call this role Senior Legal Counsel, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services Manager, Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or Senior Legal Manager.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those successful in securing an interview can expect a job-specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells local authorities are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Additional Information

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Timothy Pyant, Interim Business Manager on 01622 602155.

Job Description and Person Specification: https://docs.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs/Senior-Lawyer-Contracts-and-Commissioning_JDPS-Sept-25-Final.pdf

Interview Date: W/C 3rd November 2025