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- Tasks: Join our Legal Services team as a Senior Lawyer, handling complex legal matters.
- Company: Harborough District Council delivers top-notch services in a charming market town.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx with experience in planning or contracts law.
- Other info: Remote work is mostly available; apply early as the closing date may change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Harborough District Council
Harborough District Council is committed to delivering high-quality services to its community in Market Harborough, the town of Lutterworth, part of the Leicester urban area, and numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Market Harborough is a charming English market town known for its historic architecture, vibrant market, and picturesque countryside. The town is well-connected by rail, with direct services to Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and London.
We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Lawyers to join the Council’s Legal Services team as Senior Lawyers. These roles are pivotal in ensuring the Council’s activities are conducted lawfully and transparently, contributing to the Council’s goal of continuous improvement in service quality, cost efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
The Roles
For both senior roles you will be required to ensure that the implications of local government law are understood and complied with, including the statutory requirement within the Council. You will draft and advise on reports for Cabinet, Council Committees and other meetings as required ensuring that all procedural and standing order requirements are complied with.
You will already be an experienced lawyer and depending on your knowledge and experience you will act as the lead advisor on a broad range of planning or contracts and procurement matters. You will be responsible for our own caseloads, which will cover a wide range of diverse, complex and interesting matters. You will have experience of providing advice on complex legal matters to Members, Officers and other stakeholders.
Key responsibilities for both posts include:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx with a current England & Wales practising certificate.
- Handle a caseload of complex and sensitive legal issues.
- Provide training and support to other officers in legal procedures.
- Ensure compliance with all Council policies and statutory requirements.
- Promote a culture of excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
- Proven experience in the public sector or in private practice.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing demands and tight deadlines.
Senior Lawyer – Planning – Specific Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the delivery of legal services in planning matters.
- Several years post-qualification experience in planning law, including s.106 agreements, planning appeals, and enforcement.
Senior Lawyer – Contracts & Procurement – Specific Key Responsibilities
- Several years post-qualification experience in contracts and procurement law, including preparing contract documentation, advising on compliance and governance requirements, and negotiating agreements.
- Lead and manage the delivery of legal services in contracts and procurement matters.
About You
In these roles you will be expected to display sound decision making, excellent interpersonal and influencing. You will be confident in public speaking and problem solving. As a self-motivated individual with commitment to achieving targets, you will be a organised professional with experience of handling a broad caseload. You will be adaptable to changing priorities working as part of a team, although you will work independently, prioritising your own workload. You will support the Head of Legal Services in more complex and sensitive work, dealing with contentious and non-contentious matters.
These roles are flexible and can be delivered remotely on most occasions. However, there may be times when you are required to be in the office for client meetings or to attend committee meetings. We are willing to be flexible with the hours we are offering and can negotiate this with candidates who are successful at interview stage.
If you are interested in this role and would like an informal discussion, please contact Julie Young, Head of Legal Services by emailing in the first instance toj.young@harborough.gov.uk.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is midday 26th August 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 8thSeptember 2025.
We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date should we receive sufficient suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Desirable criteria from the person specification may be used for sifting purposes.
You can apply for this job online at www.harborough.gov.uk/job-application
Should you have any difficulties applying online pleasee-mailrecruitment@harborough.gov.uk. CVs will not be accepted. Please specify which post you are applying for on your application form and ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the person specification.
Further information on this vacancy
To apply please click theApply Nowlink below.
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Senior Planning Lawyer / Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer (two posts) employer: Harborough District Council
Contact Detail:
Harborough District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Lawyer / Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer (two posts)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and recent developments in planning law or contracts and procurement. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in your field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in local government or legal services. Attend relevant seminars or workshops to meet potential colleagues and gain insights into the Council's operations, which can be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex legal issues and how you've successfully managed competing demands in previous roles. Use specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Harborough District Council’s recent projects and initiatives. Understanding their current challenges and priorities will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your expertise aligns with their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Lawyer / Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer (two posts)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Planning Lawyer or Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer positions. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in planning law or contracts and procurement law.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience: In your application, clearly outline your post-qualification experience in either planning law or contracts and procurement law. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to handle complex legal issues and provide advice to stakeholders.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in your application. These are crucial for the roles, so provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in previous positions.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure that you specify which post you are applying for in your application form. Follow all instructions carefully, including the requirement to apply online and not submit a CV. Make sure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the person specification.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harborough District Council
✨Understand Local Government Law
Make sure you have a solid grasp of local government law and its implications. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the statutory requirements of the Council, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your suitability for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your post-qualification experience in either planning law or contracts and procurement law. Be ready to provide specific examples of complex legal matters you've handled, particularly those that involved advising stakeholders or managing caseloads.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent interpersonal skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated legal advice to non-legal stakeholders in the past.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face hypothetical scenarios during the interview that test your problem-solving abilities. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in the role and how you would approach resolving them, showcasing your decision-making process.
