At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on procurement and contracts for local government.
- Company: Join the South London Legal Partnership, a supportive in-house legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a £3,000 Golden Hello for new applicants.
- Other info: Enjoy a flexible 9-day working fortnight and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities through meaningful legal work.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 5+ years in public procurement law.
The predicted salary is between 60573 - 70203 £ per year.
Salary: £60,573 to £70,203 (including annually reviewed £7,437 Market Supplement)
Golden Hello: £3,000 (external applicants)
Working Pattern: Hybrid working
Location: Merton (team day Tuesday) with attendance at partner boroughs as required.
Optional: 9‐day working fortnight available for those that choose it (based on the needs of the service and colleagues).
South London Legal Partnership (SLLP) is the shared in‐house legal service for the London Boroughs of Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, providing legal advice at scale across South West London. The partnership model offers the opportunity to work on complex and high‐profile matters while remaining part of a supportive and well‐resourced in‐house team.
The Role
This is a newly upgraded role for an expert level procurement and contracts lawyer. You will join a small specialist team, reporting to a Principal Lawyer, with no line management responsibilities. The role is advisory focused and non‐contentious, allowing you to concentrate on delivering high quality legal advice, including on complex, cross‐team and high‐profile cases.
Main areas of the role include:
- Acting as a trusted expert in public procurement and contracts law
- Managing a diverse and extensive procurement law caseload with autonomy and responsibility
- Drafting, reviewing and advising on a wide range of commercial and public sector contracts
- Advising officers and elected members on a wide range of issues impacting local government procurement, including subsidy control and contractual risk
- Supporting and deputising for the Principal Lawyer as required
- Contributing to knowledge‐sharing across the service, including acting as a training principal / PSL style resource
- Providing clear, effective and pragmatic legal advice within a public facing environment
This role does not involve litigation, but you will be able to advise on procurement challenges and work collaboratively with Litigation colleagues as and when needed.
About You
You will:
- Be qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (Fellow of CILEX) with solid experience in public procurement law.
- Have experience in public sector client work from local government or private practice; prior in‐house experience is not essential.
- Have a minimum of around 5 years PQE experience in public procurement and contracts law and be confident running your own caseload.
- Have excellent drafting, communication, and client care skills.
- Be approachable, supportive, comfortable working closely with others and willing to share your expertise within a collaborative team.
What We Offer
- A wide and varied public procurement law workload
- Hybrid working with one team day per week in the office
- A supportive, experienced team
- The opportunity to do meaningful legal work that directly impacts residents
- Hybrid working, a 9‐day working fortnight, one team day per week in Merton, flexible use of offices across partner boroughs, and a genuine commitment to good work life balance while maintaining high professional standards.
For a confidential discussion contact: brian.gallagher@penna.com or 07716 098175.
To apply for this role please use the following link: Penna | Job Board | Expert Practitioner Lawyer – Procurement & Contracts.
Expert Practitioner Lawyer Procurement employer: Merton Council
South London Legal Partnership (SLLP) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and well-resourced environment for legal professionals to thrive. With a focus on meaningful work that directly impacts local communities, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, a 9-day working fortnight option, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative team. Join us in Merton to engage with complex procurement law cases while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Expert Practitioner Lawyer Procurement
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their values and recent projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends. Show them you’re not just a great lawyer, but also a perfect fit for their team!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance, demonstrate your knowledge in procurement and contracts law. Whether it’s through discussions during interviews or sharing insights on social media, let your expertise shine. We want to see how you can add value to the team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Expert Practitioner Lawyer Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in public procurement law. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Expertise:As an expert practitioner, it’s crucial to demonstrate your knowledge in procurement and contracts law. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your capabilities and how you’ve successfully managed complex cases.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your passion for the role shines through.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merton Council
✨Know Your Procurement Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in public procurement and contracts law. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or legislation that are relevant to the role, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the subject matter.
✨Showcase Your Advisory Skills
Since the role is advisory-focused, think of examples where you've provided clear and effective legal advice. Prepare to discuss how you’ve managed complex cases and supported clients, highlighting your communication and client care skills.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
This position requires working closely with others, so be ready to share experiences where you’ve collaborated effectively within a team. Talk about how you’ve contributed to knowledge-sharing or acted as a resource for colleagues, which aligns with the role's expectations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the types of cases you’ll handle, and how the partnership model works. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
