Senior Contracts Lawyer - Legal Services Team in Reading

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Full time - 37 Hours per week - Fixed term for 12 months

Are you an experienced legal professional ready to play a key role in delivering high‑quality, value‑driven services for a forward‑thinking local authority? Reading Borough Council is seeking a Senior Contracts Lawyer to join our dynamic Legal Services Team and contribute to major projects, corporate priorities, and excellent outcomes for our residents.

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 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.

About the role

As a Senior Contracts Lawyer, you will provide expert legal advice on complex contractual arrangements, supporting key projects and strategic initiatives across the organisation. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, offering pragmatic and solutions‑focused guidance to help manage risk and enable effective decision‑making.

• Lead on complex, sensitive, and high‑value contract and procurement matters.
• Manage and supervise staff, supporting professional growth and high performance within the team.
• Deputise for the Principal Lawyer or Team Leader where required.
• Deliver improvements in service design, process efficiency, and client experience.
• Support delivery of departmental strategies and service development initiatives.

This is a politically restricted post and requires a high level of professional integrity and political awareness. 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; and join a collaborative team that values your expertise and supports your development.

About you

We’re looking for a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent with strong experience in contract and commercial law. You’ll be confident working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across the organisation.

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.
• Experience of dealing with 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.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year 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 the heart of Reading.
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.