Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal advice on contracts and commercial matters for local authorities.
- Company: Kirklees Legal Services, a top legal practice in the area.
- Benefits: Generous leave, hybrid working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference to local communities while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in commercial law.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with strong emphasis on personal development.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 49000 £ per year.
We adopt a 'name blind' approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Organisation: Kirklees
Directorate: Public Health and Corporate Resources
Service Area: Governance & Commissioning
Hours: 37
Number of Jobs: 1
Location(s): Across Kirklees
Position type: Permanent
Grade: 14 - 15
Salary: £51,356 - £56,494 + Market Rate Supplement of £3000
Advert Wording: Do you want to make a difference to local people? As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees.
The team: The Contracts and Commercial Team are one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services. Working closely with the Council's procurement team provide legal services on a wide range of commercial matters including drafting and advising on contracts, grant agreements and the like. This includes working on high value, high profile and prestigious projects.
The role: As part of this role you will play a key role in ensuring robust governance and delivering high quality legal advice. You will be expected to have your own complex caseload on matters including local government law and procedure, contracts (including ICT and construction), public procurement, PFI Academy transfers and expiry, TUPE, waste management and other commercial/partnership work, with the ability and experience of drafting complex documentation to support Local Authority projects. You will also supervise other senior lawyers in the team. This is a great opportunity to develop both your technical and your leadership skills.
We are looking for someone with a positive approach who enjoys working as part of a team. You will be supported by our Senior Lawyers and Business Support team.
Development: If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services and want to know more about the legal issues that affect local authorities – this is the role for you. We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development and want to support you to be the best you can be.
What You Will Bring: You will be a qualified Solicitor (or Barrister) holding a current practising certificate, or you will be a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Do you have any experience in the following areas?
- Local Government Law and Procedure (including Information law and practice)
- Company Law/Joint Ventures/Partnerships
- PPP's/ PFI/Academy Conversions
- Other commercial law not covered above (e.g. TUPE, Subsidy law, Intellectual Property Rights, Construction law, etc.)
We are looking for someone with experience in Commercial Contracts and UK Public Procurement law and at least two of the above areas, but experience in more than two areas would be beneficial.
Your Benefits:
- 28.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Travel and parking discounts
- Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
- Local Government Pension
- Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments
- Hybrid working
PLEASE NOTE WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT EARLY SHOULD WE RECEIVE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF APPLICATIONS.
Marc Ellis is the manager for this role. Please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion or if you need any more information.
We know there's a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. If you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description, please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for 'Recruitment'.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date: 15 February 2026, 11:55 PM
Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Huddersfield employer: Kirklees Council
Contact Detail:
Kirklees Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Huddersfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in local government or commercial law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local government law and procurement processes. We want you to shine, so practice answering questions related to your experience with contracts and complex legal documentation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you've supervised other lawyers or led projects, make sure to highlight these experiences during interviews. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and guide a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles we have available, including this Principal Lawyer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Huddersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. Understand what they’re looking for in a Principal Lawyer and tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills.
Keep it Professional but Personal: While we want you to be professional, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Share your passion for local government law and how you can make a difference in Kirklees.
Be Clear and Concise: Make sure your application is easy to read. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, the aim is to communicate your qualifications effectively without overwhelming the reader.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local government law and procurement processes. Familiarise yourself with the specific areas mentioned in the job description, like TUPE and PFI. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising other senior lawyers, be prepared to talk about your leadership experience. Think of examples where you've led a team or project successfully, and how you can bring that experience to the Contracts and Commercial Team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team dynamics and ongoing projects within Kirklees Legal Services. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Emphasise Your Development Mindset
The job highlights personal development and training. Be ready to discuss how you’ve pursued professional growth in the past and what areas you’re keen to develop further. This will align well with their emphasis on supporting your career progression.
