Contracts Lawyer

Fixed Term Contract – 12 Months – Part time up to 22 hours per week (flexible to consider alternative working patterns including term time only), Work Together as One Team – collaborate with colleagues and partners, demonstrating Team Reading values in everything we do.
Drive Efficiency – show initiative, adapt to change, and suggest improvements. Take responsibility for your own learning and development.
Be Ambitious – strive for excellence and engage constructively with leaders.
Make a Difference to Reading – deliver high levels of customer service and be flexible in meeting service needs.
Our Offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career, with opportunities to share ideas and innovate. You\’ll be part of a friendly and collaborative team.
We are currently recruiting for a dynamic Lawyer to join our Corporate Commercial Team. This part-time position is ideal for experienced lawyers who value flexibility and autonomy. Whether you\’re returning to work, balancing other commitments, or simply prefer a reduced schedule, this role allows you to contribute meaningfully to high-profile legal work within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority.
Reading also hosts the Joint Legal Team-a long-standing shared legal service for all Berkshire unitary councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adult social care, and education law.
We welcome applications from the widest pool of talent, as diversity and inclusion are key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We offer flexible working patterns and a hybrid working environment, combining office-based work in central Reading with homeworking, tailored to the needs of the service.
About the role:
You will require an excellent working knowledge:
Contract and procurement law
Proven experience of a range of contractual agreements in a local government setting
dealing with commercial contracts, procurement, information management, IT, technology, construction, intellectual property, public law, grant agreements
dealing with public procurement matters and frameworks
JCT & NEC contracts
You\’ll have the opportunity to work on complex and rewarding contract matters while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Engage in strategic projects such as construction, procurement, and grant agreements, with the freedom to manage your time effectively. Join a collaborative team that values your expertise and supports your development-without the demands of a full-time schedule.
We welcome applications from candidates who bring strong legal skills and a desire to make a difference, regardless of their working pattern. You will be part of a dynamic team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As part of Team Reading, you will play your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
About you:
We are looking for someone with experience of the following:
Expert knowledge and understanding of the law and procedure relating to the functions of a local authority, including all aspects of contracts and procurement law. In particular in relation to the Procurement Act 2023
Experience of construction contracts, particularly JCT and NEC forms, covering design responsibility, payment structures, delay damages, and defects liability
Grant agreements with external bodies such as the NHS or other councils.
Ability to negotiate and draft complex legal agreements and deliver expert legal advice orally and in writing in relation to these.
Ability to identify and communicate complex or key legal issues, clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally
A persuasive and effective influencer, with emotional intelligence, who can foster and build partnerships and relationships, work collaboratively within and across departmental boundaries, and achieve corporate and departmental objectives through and in partnership with others, A current practising certificate and be entitled to practice in England as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executive
Post qualification experience of contract and procurement rules and regulations
An ability to work to tight deadlines and work well whilst under pressure.
An ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Lead a team
We support hybrid working, it\’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you\’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .
Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years\’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in central Reading.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for LGPS members).
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery), rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Season Ticket Loan – to help with travel costs.
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme – includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.

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