Senior Lawyer (Property & Regeneartion)

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

Job summary

A local government authority in Sittingbourne is seeking a Senior Lawyer (Property and Regeneration) to manage complex legal cases. You will provide high-level legal support to senior leaders and supervise junior staff. Requires qualifications as a solicitor or equivalent, experience in property law, and a valid UK driving licence. This role offers a flexible working environment, generous holiday entitlement, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Cycling to work scheme

Qualifications

• To be a qualified solicitor, barrister, chartered legal executive or have equivalent qualification and experience.
• Experience advising on property and regeneration law.
• Experience in politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex property and regeneration work.
• Provide high-level legal advice and services.
• Supervise less senior fee earners and legal support officers.

Skills

Post qualification legal practice experience in property and regeneration

Experience providing legal advice to senior leaders

Knowledge of local government

Full, valid UK driving licence

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister, or chartered 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 a range of areas including 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. In short, it’s a real opportunity to make a difference in an area with vibrant towns, beautiful villages and countryside and fantastic leisure and cultural amenities.

MKLS’s has a reputation as being forward thinking, progressive and innovative and is closely and strongly aligned with is 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.

The Role

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

Our 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 given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• 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
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About The Role

As our Senior Lawyer (Property and Regeneration), you will manage a caseload of complex property and regeneration 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 property and regeneration law and practice
• Represent MKLS in internal working groups and external meetings
• Deputise for the Team Leader/Practice Area Lead when required
• Uphold the Council’s policies

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

About You

To be considered as our Senior Lawyer (Property and Regeneration), you will need:

• To be a qualified solicitor, barrister, chartered legal executive or have equivalent qualification and experience
• Post qualification legal practice experience in property and regeneration
• Experience providing legal advice and support to senior leaders and key decision-makers in property and regeneration law and practice
• Experience advising Members on all aspects of property and regeneration 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 that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee 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.

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-Property-and-Regeneration-JDPS-Sept-25-Final.pdf

Interview Date: W/C 3rd November 2025