At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on commercial contracts and procurement matters while managing your own caseload.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, a progressive authority focused on innovation and employee empowerment.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth opportunities and a strong sense of community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in commercial contracts and procurement.
Staffordshire County Council is a modern and progressive authority that empowers its employees to be courageous and innovative. Staffordshire Legal Services is a large in-house corporate legal team, consisting of lawyers, trainees, and support staff, with a key focus on staff training, retention, and progression. The service supports the county council in delivering its objectives by providing quality services.
The successful candidate will undertake a varied caseload of commercial, contracts, and procurement matters. Previous experience of assisting/managing a commercial contract and procurement caseload within either the public sector or private practice is essential.
There are several benefits to working at Staffordshire County Council, including:
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Flexi time
- Annual leave purchase scheme
- Employee discounts
- Local government pension scheme
- Optional car lease scheme
- Staff parking discount scheme
We understand the importance of a work-life balance and currently offer remote working with attendance at our Stafford office on flexible patterns and in accordance with business needs.
Main Responsibilities
- Providing practical, grounded, legal and commercial advice regarding a wide range of commercial and procurement matters.
- Negotiating and leading client/project meetings, drafting and advising on a variety of commercial contracts, projects, and related issues.
- Advising on the Council's Constitution.
- Building strong internal and external relationships with high standards of honesty and integrity.
- Utilising critical thinking skills and working under minimal supervision.
- Adhering to the Legal Services Unit’s LEXCEL quality standards.
- Recording all chargeable time spent on matters and non-chargeable activity in accordance with the council's time recording system.
- Independently managing own caseload and files on the electronic case management system.
The Ideal Candidate
- Be a qualified Solicitor/fellow of CILEX with practice rights or Barrister.
- Proven commercial contracts experience within either the public sector and/or private practice with a comprehensive understanding of the law relating to contracts and knowledge of procurement and local government practices.
- Experience in representing and advising clients at high-level case-related meetings and confident in negotiating, leading client/project meetings, drafting and advising on a variety of commercial contracts, projects, and related issues.
- The ability to clearly and engagingly communicate whether verbally, digitally, or in writing.
- The ability to demonstrate strong critical thinking and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
This is a hybrid role. Interviews will be held during the week starting 12 October 2026.
For more information about this role or if you are unsure if your skills and experience are suitable, please contact Georgina Dean, Team Senior on 01785 854 880 or email at georgina.dean@staffordshire.gov.uk or Vaneeti Walia, Team Senior on 01785 854 854 or email at vaneeti.walia@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council: We are no ordinary county council. Our values drive how we think and act collectively. We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
As an Authority, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Lawyer - Contracts in Stafford employer: WMJobs
Worcestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly work environment for Social Workers in the picturesque Malvern Hills area. With a strong emphasis on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to employee well-being, you will thrive in a culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join a dedicated team where your contributions are recognised and where you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those you support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer - Contracts in Stafford
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We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer - Contracts in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
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