At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage diverse legal cases focusing on contracts and procurement, providing clear legal advice.
- Company: Join West Lancashire Borough Council, making a real impact in local government.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with a focus on continuous service improvement.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of community projects, ensuring legal compliance and best practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in contract and procurement law.
The predicted salary is between 48226 - 50269 £ per year.
We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional with experience in contracts and procurement, to play a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council. Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, you will support a broad range of corporate priorities by managing a varied caseload and ensuring that the Council’s contractual and procurement activities are legally compliant, robust and aligned to best practice. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, contributing to major projects, commercial arrangements and service delivery that directly impact our communities.
About the Role
- Manage a diverse legal caseload with a primary focus on contracts and procurement matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements.
- Provide clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice to officers on procurement processes and contract management, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal governance requirements.
- Advise on the legal risks associated with procurement exercises and corporate projects, supporting the Council to deliver value-for-money and legally sound outcomes.
- Support and attend committees, working groups and meetings, providing timely and accurate legal input on contractual and procurement matters.
- Contribute to the development of legal precedents, policies and guidance to enhance consistency, efficiency and best practice across the organisation.
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, external partners and third parties, including negotiating contract terms and supporting contract performance management.
- Stay up to date with developments in procurement law, local government legislation and commercial practice, ensuring advice reflects current legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Contribute to continuous service improvement, supporting the delivery of an efficient and cost-effective legal service.
You will play an important role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage legal and commercial risk, strengthen governance, and enable effective and transparent procurement and contracting processes.
What You Will Bring
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive, with demonstrable experience in contract and procurement work.
- Strong technical knowledge of public procurement legislation and commercial contracts, ideally within a local government or public sector setting.
- Experience of advising on procurement processes and drafting and negotiating a range of contractual arrangements.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise officers and stakeholders at all levels.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail.
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.
- An understanding of the wider legal, regulatory and political context in which local authorities operate.
Interview Dates Week commencing 3rd August (Precise dates TBC)
Interim Contracts & Procurement Senior Solicitor in Ormskirk employer: Applefields School
Whitby School is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inspiring environment for both students and staff. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, mental health support, and continuous professional development, we empower our employees to grow in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. Located in the heart of the Whitby community, our school embodies values of ambition, courage, character, and endeavour, ensuring that every day offers new challenges and rewards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Contracts & Procurement Senior Solicitor in Ormskirk
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Applefields School.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Applefields School does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Applefields School.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Contracts & Procurement Senior Solicitor in Ormskirk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Applefields School and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Applefields School
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Interim Contracts & Procurement Senior Solicitor role at Applefields School. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Applefields School.
