Strategic Legal Manager

NW Legal Consortium; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 66,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Flexible working

Health and wellbeing support

Family-friendly policies

Financial and travel benefits

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a Senior Lawyer to lead and drive multiple legal teams across adult social care, education and people services. You will partner with senior and statutory officers to shape governance strategy and ensure compliant operations.

The role requires an honours degree and admission as a solicitor or barrister (England & Wales) with current practice, and a proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and communicate across all levels.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline.
• Admitted Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with current practising certificate.
• Strong knowledge of Local Authority governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple legal teams and drive governance strategy.
• Act as key partner for Adults, Education and People Services areas.
• Provide senior legal direction to ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Governance

Legal strategy

Education

Honours degree in a relevant discipline

Solicitor/Barrister qualification (England & Wales)

Job description

Job Identification: 20927
Job Category: Legal & Governance
Posting Date: 09/10/2026, 04:08 PM
Apply Before: 10/01/2026, 11:59 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RE, GB
(Hybrid)

Job Description

Salary £66,336 – £72,150 Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Preston

We’re looking for a dynamic and innovative Senior Lawyer to lead, drive and directly manage a number of our Legal teams within Lancashire County Council.

About The Role

The role will be the key partner and stakeholder for a number of service areas, including Adults, Education and People Services.

You’ll lead on the development, implementation and provide senior direction to inform and guide service governance strategy and ensure we operate in the correct manner.

As part of the role you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders including senior & statutory officers, elected members and political partners giving you broad and varied day to day interaction whilst leading on ensuring we deliver effective governance, we remain compliant within legal and regulatory requirements

You’ll be an ambitious & experienced Legal professional looking to take the next step in your career alongside the drive and passion to create a better environment for the people within our region.

You’ll ideally have an honours degree in a relevant discipline alongside admitted Solicitor or Barrister status (England and Wales) with a current practicing certificate

You’ll have an excellent understanding of and experience of operating within the legal frameworks and requirements of Local Authority governance

Previous direct experience and knowledge of one of the legal disciplines managed by the role; Adult Social Care, Education, Employment or Schools Appeal

You’ll have previous experience of managing a multi-disciplined team alongside the desire to keep doing so

Demonstrative experience of being the driver of a high quality service provision

You’ll be an excellent communicator able and comfortable communicating with a range of stakeholders at all levels

About Us

At Lancashire County Council, we’re committed to delivering services that make a real difference to the people and communities we serve. Our Information Governance Team is at the heart of that mission, helping ensure transparency, accountability and the responsible use of information.

When you join us, you’ll become part of a supportive and knowledgeable team where your expertise is valued, your development is encouraged and your contribution has a direct impact across the organisation.

In return, we offer:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities
• Health and wellbeing support
• Family-friendly policies
• Financial and travel benefits
• Training and development opportunities

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you’ll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.