Senior Contracts Lawyer

Location: 1 Catford Road, Catford, London, SE6 4RU

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Duration: 6+ Months

Working Hours: Mon-Fri, 09:00, 37 Hours per week

Pay Rate: £34.74 per hour

Job Ref: OR8747

Responsibilities

• Handle complex contract work and deputise for the Principal Lawyer as needed in major Council work areas.
• Provide advice and assistance with legal documentation and negotiation with partners or preferred bidders in joint commissioning initiatives.
• Support the Principal Lawyer in advising and drafting contracts and protocols on a wide range of public-private partnership arrangements.
• Offer advice on complex procurement and tender documentation.
• Ensure efficient and expeditious provision of legal advice and assistance personally and through team members.
• Manage and coordinate the work of staff, providing advice, guidance, and direction as necessary.
• Undertake a personal caseload of complex contract advice and agreement preparation work.
• Prepare complex or unique forms of contract and specialised agreements, and advise on contract law matters.
• Work flexibly within the Contracts Team and offer support to other lawyers in the wider Legal team as required.
• Act as a legal advisor to Members and Officers, participate in policy formulation, and attend Committees to provide necessary legal advice.
• Draft and scrutinize Committee reports, considering legal implications and contributing as appropriate.
• Introduce new procedures arising from legislation and efficiency improvements, consulting with affected departments and preparing necessary documentation.
• Stay updated on current legislation and professional requirements, instructing colleagues as necessary.
• Present training courses and seminars for Members, Officers, and others as needed.
• Conduct employment performance evaluation interviews regularly for staff within the Contracts team, ensuring adequate training and development.
• Assist the Principal Lawyer in Service Level Agreement negotiations and client liaison.
• Promote and market Legal Services.
• Cooperate with external reviews of Council performance, including audits and inspections.
• Carry out additional legal work and tasks as required by the Principal Lawyer, Head of Legal Services, or Director of Law and Corporate Governance.
• Ensure responsibilities are carried out with regard to equal opportunities, health and safety, Core Values, and Legal Services objectives.
• Advise Committees, Chairs, Members, and Officers, including the Chief Executive, as necessary.
• Maintain frequent contact with solicitors, court officers, government departments, local authority associations, and other professionals as necessary.

Person Specification

• Commitment to implementing the Council's Equal Opportunities policies.
• Awareness of Equal Opportunities issues.
• Commitment to the highest standards of customer care and enhancing client relations.
• Advanced knowledge of the specific area of law and its application in a local authority context.
• Understanding of strategic and operational management practices.
• Ability to analyze problems, make decisions, and exercise professional judgment independently.
• Capability to work positively and imaginatively with senior authority members and partners.
• Ability to carry out special tasks or projects, contributing to or leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work under substantial pressure and meet conflicting deadlines.
• Robust and creative approach in interpreting and applying the law.
• Articulate and confident in oral and written presentations.
• Ability to present written information clearly and succinctly.
• Experience in managing a varied legal caseload at a senior level.
• Experience in managing staff and ensuring performance within legislative timescales.
• Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent qualifications) or demonstration of equivalent competence.
• Ability to work as part of, lead, and motivate a team.
• Dependable, self-reliant, and self-motivating.
• Ability to anticipate problems and develop appropriate solutions.
• Commitment to service excellence and flexibility in service provision.
• Ability to work outside normal working hours when required.