Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commercial)

Location: Kendal (including agile working and working from home)

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

A great opportunity has arisen within our Legal Team for a Senior Lawyer – Contracts and Commercial to support on the Council’s commercial work.

This role offers a unique opportunity to provide expert legal advice on construction, assets, highways, and economic development, with a strong focus on complex contractual and procurement matters. You’ll manage a challenging caseload, contribute to strategic planning and corporate governance, and offer guidance on NEC4, JCT, and other construction contracts. The role also involves supervising team members, representing the council in key decision-making forums, and ensuring high-quality, cost-effective legal services.

Please follow this link for more information on our Capital Strategy 2024-29.

To be a success in this role, you will have experience of or knowledge in the following:

• Experience in advising on construction and assets, highways and economic development services on a range of construction, contractual and procurement matters, including those of a contentious nature.
• Experience in providing advice on commercial and contractual arrangements (including NEC4, JCT and other construction contracts).
• Independent management in accordance with practice standards of a complex and challenging caseload of files - particularly of a more complex, corporately significant and/or higher risk nature.
• Supervising and developing practice of designated team members in accordance with practice standards.
• Provision of legal advice and support to strategic planning, policy formation, projects, corporate governance, decision making, review and scrutiny and to provide representation at decision making bodies, boards/panels, working groups and on external bodies as required by the role.
• Keep under review and provide timely and practical advice to senior managers and elected members on the implications of legislation, case law and other emerging developments in the specialist technical areas relevant to the role.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contractual documents including for example contracts for purchase of goods / services, grant agreements.
• Providing the highest level of client care and advice to clients on contract and commercial activities, offering solutions.
• Evidenced dedication to continuous professional development.
• Experience in and willingness to learn and enhance, local authority governance requirements including ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
• Experience of working in local government (desirable but not essential).

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys rising to a challenge. You will bring a strong track record of meeting deadlines, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to make sound decisions and solve problems effectively.

In this role, you will handle a variety of responsibilities, including providing clear, practical advice to officers and Elected Members, and participating in Council Committees and working groups as needed.

To succeed, you’ll need strong IT skills, a well-organised approach to work, and the ability to confidently use electronic legal resources for research and casework.

Above all, you will be committed to delivering high-quality service that makes a real difference to our residents and clients.

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

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 22nd September 2025