Senior Solicitor Commercial and Projects

North Yorkshire Council; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Career progression

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Employee discounts

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a Senior Commercial & Projects Solicitor to provide expert advice across commercial, procurement and governance matters. The role sits within the Council’s Legal Service and offers a hybrid working arrangement with opportunities to lead high-profile projects.

You will draft and negotiate contracts, advise on procurement, and help shape governance and insourcing/outsourcing decisions. A strong research and collaborative mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX.
• Experience in commercial & projects law.
• Strong research and legal analysis skills.
• Ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating contracts for supplies, services and works.
• Advising on complex procurement projects
• Guidance on contracts, grants, subsidy control and procurement processes.
• Deliver specialist legal support to external clients via First North Law.

Skills

Commercial law

Legal research

Analytical skills

Communication

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Solicitor qualification

Barrister qualification

CILEX qualification

Job description

Are you ready for the next stage of your career?

We are currently looking to recruit an ambitious and forward-thinking individual to work as a Senior Commercial & Projects Solicitor within our successful legal service here at North Yorkshire Council.

If you have the relevant skills, drive and ambition to succeed, we want to hear from you!

About the team…

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (‘LDS’) within the Chief Executive’s Group. North Yorkshire Council provides a range of services to North Yorkshire, and the role of the Legal Service is to support that provision by providing a comprehensive and efficient legal service to the Directorates, the Council’s Executive, full Council, Committees and Members, and external clients. The nature of the work requires a flexible and versatile approach as it will change from time to time in response to the changing needs of the Council, and its developing initiatives. The postholder is required to work with colleagues and Members at every level within the organisation and with external clients and partners.

When taking up the post the postholder must hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX.

The role

This is a varied and high-profile legal role, providing expert advice and support across a broad range of commercial, procurement and governance matters.

Responsibilities

• drafting and negotiating contracts for supplies, services and works,
• advising on complex procurement projects that support regeneration and development, and providing guidance on contracts, grants, subsidy control and procurement processes.

The role also covers legal advice on insourcing and outsourcing arrangements, intellectual property matters, academisation and joint-use agreements, Council-owned companies and partnership models, while delivering specialist legal support to external clients through the Council’s wholly owned legal services company First North Law.

You will

• Be part of a friendly and supportive team of professionals
• Have the opportunity work on high profile cases
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in orally and in writing to suit a range of audiences
• Have responsibility for your own caseload and be able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Have experience of managing specialist professionals

What you can bring

• Experience in Commercial & Projects Law
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• The ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Have experience of managing specialist professionals

We welcome applications from anyone qualified and looking for a new and interesting challenge.

What We Offer You

• A supportive, professional team environment where you’ll grow your career.
• We offer hybrid working with the option to work from home and flexible hours, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• We’re committed to your growth, offering continuous learning, career progression opportunities, and financial support for additional qualifications.
• We recognise the importance of family time and well-being, offering generous leave and additional benefits like paid volunteering leave.
• Enjoy the security of a robust pension plan designed for your future.
• Take advantage of our employee benefits scheme which includes discounts on shopping, home tech, green car schemes, and more!

You will also have access to a range of benefits such as a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working, excellent pension scheme, salary sacrifice car, cycle, technology and childcare schemes and a package of ‘Everybody Benefits’ shopping vouchers, discounts and more.

Please see our total rewards brochure for more information.

Contact

For an informal discussion and more information in relation to the role, please contact Jennifer Norton, Assistant Director Legal [e-mail]

Key Documents

Job Description

Total Rewards brochure

Key Dates

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

Interviews: Week Commencing 23rd November