Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Contracts, Procurement and Governance Lawyer to join our in-house Legal Services Team and help the city council achieve better value for money through the services it delivers.
This role is suitable either for a solicitor or fellow with 2-3 years post qualified experience in the relevant area of law, but applicants with less experience will be considered (including newly qualified applicants with some relevant experience).
In Legal Services we’re a high-performing, commercially minded team who are willing to think about things differently. We have a focus on mentoring and personal development.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Main Responsibility
- Provide legal procurement, commercial and governance advice (including advice on information governance such as GDPR and requests under FOI) on a range of projects from start to finish and ad hoc pieces of advice. Includes advising on project boards as required.
- Drafting and negotiating a variety of contracts and other agreements with the objective of preventing or minimising risk to the city council.
- Establish and maintain a deep understanding of the client’s business needs, build and maintain effective professional working relationships with clients, other stakeholders and relevant external organisations to ensure that the city council is best placed to achieve its objectives.
- Assist in supervising the advice and casework of trainee lawyers and paralegals as arranged with the Principal Solicitor.
- Through high quality service, advice and casework to support the Council in achieving its outcomes successfully.
- A team player who is reliable, helpful, self -motivated and demonstrates a personal commitment to the Council’s Corporate Values.
- Manage a caseload of mixed procurement and contracts law matters ensuring that all work is both of a high quality and delivered in a timely manner.
- All work should be undertaken with the purpose of assisting the Council to achieve its business objectives and operate within the wider policy context.
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales/English Bar) or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives or equivalent; 2-3 years PQE in procurement and contracts
- Applicants with less PQE including Newly Qualified will be considered if they can demonstrate relevant experience
- A team player; someone who models the Council's corporate values of respect, dedication and collaboration.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
