Lawyer Contracts and Procurement, North East

This motivated highly professional team is looking for an individual committed to excellence to undertake contracts and procurement work. The successful candidate will support and assist the Senior Lawyer (Corporate and Commercial Governance) as well as manage their own caseload, providing a professional legal service with support from dedicated Legal Assistants. You will join a small team supplying high quality legal advice with a significant and varied caseload relating to all Council functions and the opportunity to advise schools, academies and the Fire Service.

• Support and assist the Senior Lawyer (Corporate and Commercial Governance) and manage an independent caseload.
• Provide professional legal advice across all Council functions, including to schools, academies and the Fire Service.
• Collaborate closely with the Corporate Procurement Team, which handles an annual spend of over £500 million.
• Advise on contracts and procurement for works, services, supplies, event and art agreements, grant agreements and associated legal documentation.
• Involve in high‑value and complex construction, regeneration and ICT projects.

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
• Will consider candidates who are about to qualify and have completed all academic stages.
• Experience and knowledge in contracts and procurement for large and complex projects is desirable.
• Open to newly‑qualified lawyers and those wishing to pursue a new specialism.

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

We actively promote a positive work/life balance and support wellbeing. We offer flexible hybrid working, a friendly and supportive working environment and a wealth of interesting work. Our competitive rewards package includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years of continuous local government service), membership of the contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.