Principal Lawyer

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is at the heart of one of the UK’s most ambitious devolution agendas. As we continue to grow our responsibilities and regional impact, we are seeking an experienced Principal Lawyer to provide strategic legal leadership in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment. This is a senior, influential role reporting to the General Counsel, with responsibility for leading complex legal work, shaping governance frameworks, and supporting major regional programmes that will make a lasting difference to our people, places and economy.

As a Principal Lawyer, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, timely legal advice across EMCCA’s commercial and governance activity. You will lead on complex matters including contract drafting and novation, procurement and subsidy control, governance arrangements and risk management, while supporting senior decision-makers across the organisation. You will also provide professional leadership to a growing legal team, line-managing up to two colleagues, and helping to build a collaborative, high-performing legal service that is trusted across the organisation.

The postholder will specialise in any of the following areas, aligned to organisational need and your expertise:

• Resourcing – Education, Employment, Litigation & Governance Support

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver first-class legal advice on complex commercial, governance and public-sector matters.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior officers, Boards and Committees, including supporting formal decision-making processes.
• Lead on drafting and negotiating high-value, complex legal documentation with minimal supervision.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance, procurement regulations, data protection and best practice legal processes.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear, legally robust solutions that enable delivery.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, partners, funders and external advisers.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement and effective risk management across legal services.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development for team members, fostering an inclusive and accountable culture.

About You

You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with significant experience delivering high-quality legal advice in a complex public-sector, devolved or similarly large organisation. You will bring:

• Proven experience advising on complex commercial, governance or programme-based legal matters.
• Strong drafting skills and the confidence to work independently on high-risk issues.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present clear advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience working across one of the specialist areas outlined above.
• A collaborative approach and the credibility to influence at senior level.
• A commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.
• Experience of local government law, devolution frameworks, housing, transport or economic development is desirable.

Our Values

We are a values-led organisation, guided by four core principles:

• Lifting our region – championing long-term outcomes over short-term gains
• Working together – building strong partnerships and constructive challenge
• Making an impact – turning ideas into action within real-world constraints
• Being human – valuing diversity, authenticity and connection

These values shape how we work, lead and make decisions together.

Why Join EMCCA?

This is a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of regional government, influencing major programmes that will shape the future of the East Midlands. You’ll be part of an organisation built on partnership, systems leadership and ambition — with the chance to make a genuine, lasting impact.