At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a legal team in delivering high-quality services on contracts, planning, and property matters.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Bexley and make a difference in local governance.
- Benefits: 3-month contract with potential for extension and valuable experience.
- Other info: Immediate start available; perfect for those ready to make an impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of your community through strategic legal leadership.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive legal team management experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Head of Commercial (Contracts, Planning & Property) – Interim
We are working closely with the local authority in Bexley to appoint a Head of Commercial (Contracts, Planning & Property) on a 3‑month contract, likely to be extended at the client’s discretion.
Overview
The Head of Commercial (Contracts, Property and Planning) – Interims provides strategic leadership and specialist legal expertise across commercial contracts, property, planning, highways and governance matters within the London Borough of Bexley.
The postholder leads the delivery of high‑quality legal services, ensuring the Council receives timely, commercially focussed, and legally robust advice that supports corporate priorities, service transformation and major regeneration projects.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and develop the Commercial, Property, Planning and Contracts Legal Team, ensuring delivery of high‑quality legal services across the Council.
- Draft, negotiate and complete Section 106, Section 38, Section 278 agreements, planning obligations, highways agreements, licences, easements, deeds and other complex legal documentation.
- Advise on planning law, highways legislation, local government law, commercial contracts, land transactions, regeneration projects and associated legal risks.
- Ensure legal documentation is accurate, legally compliant and supports the Council’s strategic, operational and financial objectives.
- Deputise for the Monitoring Officer, providing advice on governance, constitutional matters, ethical standards, decision‑making and statutory compliance.
- Maintain knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Highways Act 1980, Local Government Act 1972, Localism Act 2011, Procurement Act 2023 (or applicable procurement legislation), Land Registration Act and related legislation.
Qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) with a current practising certificate where applicable.
- Degree in Law (LLB) or equivalent recognised legal qualification.
- Extensive experience leading legal teams responsible for commercial contracts, planning, property and highways matters.
- Expert knowledge of local government law, planning law, highways law, property law, commercial contracts, procurement and governance.
- Proven experience drafting, negotiating and completing Section 106, Section 38 and Section 278 agreements, development agreements and associated legal documentation.
- Experience deputising for, or providing support to, a Monitoring Officer on governance and constitutional matters.
- Availability to work immediately or on short notice.
- Right to work in the U. K.
Benefits
3‑month contract with the possibility of extension at the client’s discretion.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
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 Brackenberry Limited and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brackenberry Limited
✨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 Head of Commercial role at Brackenberry Limited. 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 Brackenberry Limited.
