Group Lawyer Manager (Contracts and Commercial)

Location: Kendal

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland and Furness Council is a new and ambitious unitary authority, committed to transforming public services and making our region a “great place to live, work, and thrive”.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Commercial and Contracts Lawyer to join our high-performing legal team in a senior capacity. This is an exciting opportunity for a legal professional who thrives on challenge and is ready to take the next step in their career.

In this role, you will manage your own caseload, including high-profile, transformative projects that require a multidisciplinary, business-partnering approach. You will also lead the Commercial and Contracts legal team, overseeing budgets and coordinating resources across legal specialisms in collaboration with other Group Lawyers.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to good governance and sound decision-making. The successful candidate will be expected to champion these principles across the organisation.

We are proud of our legal team’s culture—driven, ambitious, and supportive. Staff wellbeing is a top priority, and we are looking for someone who shares our values and is eager to contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.

Who we are looking for…

You will play a key role in the continuous improvement and development of the Legal Service as a whole, helping us deliver a dynamic, high-quality legal offering that reflects our ambition to become a legal Centre of Excellence.

The role also involves providing advice on complex, high-risk, and strategically significant commercial and contracting matters, supporting corporate governance, policy development, and strategic planning.

Strong relationship-building skills are essential. You will work closely with colleagues across the council to understand their needs, plan legal resources accordingly, and support the development of legal and governance knowledge within service areas.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kevin Toogood, Senior Manager – Legal, at [email protected].

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 3rd August 2025