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- Tasks: Manage complex commercial cases and support other lawyers in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Established local authority legal service with a focus on public sector projects.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous leave, pension scheme, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while developing your legal and leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in public sector procurement law.
- Other info: Flexible working policies and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 59000 £ per year.
This is a senior commercial role within a large, well-established local authority legal service, working on complex, high-value public sector projects with real-world impact.
The role combines technically demanding work with the opportunity to support and guide other lawyers, without requiring prior formal management experience.
The team
You will join a specialist Contracts and Commercial team within a wider in-house legal service. The team works closely with procurement colleagues and internal stakeholders across the organisation, advising on a broad range of commercial and governance-heavy matters. It's a supportive, down-to-earth team environment, with a strong focus on collaboration and practical problem-solving.
The role
You will manage your own complex commercial and procurement caseload and play a role in supporting other senior lawyers and helping the team operate effectively day to day. The work includes:
- Advising on UK public sector procurement law and strategy
- Drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including ICT and construction
- Supporting high-value and high-profile local authority projects
- Advising on governance, local government law and procedure
- Working on matters such as PFI and academy transfers, TUPE, waste and partnership arrangements
- Providing informal supervision and technical guidance to other lawyers
Who this role suits
- A qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer
- Experienced in public sector procurement law
- Comfortable handling complex commercial matters with minimal supervision
- Interested in developing leadership skills, even if you haven't formally managed before
- Collaborative, pragmatic and confident working with non-legal colleagues
Working arrangements and benefits
- Hybrid working with high levels of flexibility
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- 28.5 days annual leave, rising to 32.5 days after five years, plus bank holidays
- Family-friendly and flexible working policies
- Health and wellbeing support
- Travel and cycle benefits
For more information
Contact Nik Stoate at Venn Group nstoate@venngroup.com
Principal Commercial Lawyer in Leeds employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Commercial Lawyer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in public sector procurement. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK public sector procurement law. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex commercial matters in the past and how you can bring that experience to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! During interviews, highlight examples where you've worked closely with non-legal colleagues to solve problems. This will demonstrate that you're a great fit for the supportive team environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Commercial Lawyer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Commercial Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in public sector procurement law and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working closely with non-legal colleagues, it's important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked in a team or supported others in previous roles. We love a good team player!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK public sector procurement law and the specifics of commercial contracts. Familiarise yourself with recent case studies or high-profile projects that relate to the role, as this will show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with procurement colleagues and internal stakeholders, be ready to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would handle complex commercial matters or advise on governance issues, and be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
Even if you haven't held a formal management position, think of instances where you've taken the lead on projects or supported others. Share these experiences to illustrate your capability to guide and mentor fellow lawyers.
