Senior/Principal Lawyer

Make your legal expertise matter. Are you looking for a role where your legal expertise fuels real change? As part of our dynamic, fast‑paced legal team, you’ll be at the heart of Greater Manchester’s bold vision: driving forward transformative projects that improve lives, empower communities, and build a fairer, greener, and more prosperous city region. This is more than legal work; it’s your chance to help shape the future of one of the UK’s most ambitious and forward‑thinking regions.

Your Role

As a Senior/Principal Lawyer, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the legal frameworks behind some of the most ambitious projects in the UK. You’ll:

• Lead on complex, high‑value public procurements and supplier contracts that underpin the Bee Network and other major initiatives.
• Advise on procurement strategy and risk, draft bespoke contracts, and resolve disputes, ensuring TfGM’s interests are protected while enabling innovation.
• Work on cutting‑edge projects involving commercial tech, software, IT, telecoms, and digital media, helping us modernise and future‑proof our services.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver legal solutions that make a tangible difference to millions of people.
• Provide legal support on high‑value construction and engineering projects involving complex infrastructure development, enabling delivery of priority schemes under The Greater Manchester Strategy.

Who are we?

Transport for Greater Manchester oversees public transport in Greater Manchester, supporting the Mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority as the Transport Authority to deliver and improve transport services, facilities and information to make travel easier for everyone. This is a busy and exciting time for us as transport will play a vital role in supporting growth and prosperity in the UK’s largest regional economy outside London. You will be part of a busy and supportive legal team as we further advance the Bee Network to create a world class integrated public transport and active travel offer within GM.

What you’ll bring

What you do and how you do it is important whatever type of role you work in at TfGM and even small behaviours and actions can have a really big impact. At TfGM, our behaviours bring to life our values of Deliver, Care and Adapt. We’re looking for:

• A qualified solicitor or FILEX with at least 7 years’ post‑qualification experience in public procurement and commercial contract law.
• Strong commercial/corporate background and experience advising under PCR, UCR, and (ideally but not essentially) the Procurement Act 2023.
• Experience of drafting and negotiating NEC3 and NEC4 construction/engineering contracts, including advising on collateral warranties, vesting certificates and other associated documents.
• An ability to manage a broad caseload independently while contributing to a supportive team culture and supervising more junior team members.
• Experience in highly regulated environments and an understanding of public sector governance.

What we can offer you

This is a permanent role with a salary of £61,408 – £84,830 depending on experience post qualification. You will play a vital role in the sustained delivery and improvement of the Greater Manchester Bee Network and will be one of the key legal contacts for internal clients, managing your own matters, workload and diary. As TfGM changes to manage the new challenges faced by bus franchising, integrated ticketing and improved services across Metrolink, rail and cycle hire, you will be at the forefront of helping the Legal team to manage, deliver and support this new regime.

Our benefits include:

• Generous annual leave starting at 28 days (plus bank holidays), increasing with service, with options to buy more.
• Free travel on buses across Greater Manchester, plus rail or Metrolink travel to and from work.
• Local Government defined pension scheme with life cover of 3x salary and options to boost your contributions.
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave policies, including those supporting fertility treatment, alongside flexible and hybrid working and a special leave policy to support a range of unexpected events.

Please note that qualification criteria may apply, including a requirement to have been employed with the organisation for a minimum specified period of time. Discover more benefits including wellbeing support, Personal and Career Development, Flexible working, financial support and more on our website.

Why TfGM?

Meaningful work: Play a key role in shaping the future of transport in Greater Manchester, impacting millions of lives each day. Professional Development: Opportunities to grow and develop your career through continuous learning and training. Collaborative culture: Work within a supportive and inclusive environment where your ideas are valued.

What's next?

We understand you may have many questions about this role. If you believe you have the skills and experience required, please see our application guide for further details on next steps. TfGM is proud to be an equal opportunities employer that encourages and celebrates diversity. We want to recruit and retain a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome individuals from all backgrounds by committing to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We will offer support and reasonable adjustments if required and we also have a Guaranteed Assessment Scheme which you can find out more information on here.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK – if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licensed sponsor.