Job Introduction
Are you a proactive, organised and detail-driven professional looking for the next step in your legal career? Are you motivated by delivering excellent service? If so, we have a great role for you.
Our lawyers deal with planning, regeneration, property, highways and other related legal matters. The team is developing following the appointment of new leadership, and we’re seeking a Principal Lawyer for Planning and Regeneration to join us.
This is an important role and an excellent opportunity for a versatile legal professional who can work at pace. You’ll contribute to a collaborative and respectful team that values dedication and innovation.
We’re looking for a dynamic, experienced and highly organised individual who can make a real difference to the community.
You’ll be part of a wider corporate strategy to shape the continued improvement and development of Milton Keynes, through involvement in major council plans and projects designed to build on existing socio-economic strengths, tackle challenges and develop transformational policies.
You’ll assist the Head of Legal – Commercial and Place and Deputy Monitoring Officer, by deputising when required and where appropriate, contributing and overseeing all aspects of the delivery of the Planning and Regeneration legal team’s work.
You’ll also assist them to carry out the legal, governance and budgetary responsibilities relating to their area of legal services, as well as work closely with heads of service to provide professional advice on legal, constitutional and corporate governance issues.
Milton Keynes has one of the fastest growing economies in the country and an ambitious growth agenda, so you’ll need to be commercially aware with an appetite for being busy and the ability to juggle competing priorities. You’ll ideally have a track record of enabling the delivery of council priorities.
This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week.
Interviews for this role will be w/c 29 September.
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Lead a team of lawyers responsible for a mixed caseload of complex and routine matters in the fields of Planning, Regeneration and related Highways and Land law issues, ensuring through appropriate delegation and supervision that all work is of the correct quality and performed in a timely manner.
- Provide legal expertise on all legal issues pertaining to the strategic and operational aspects of the Planning and Regeneration and be responsible for a legal caseload involving complex matters.
- Support the Head of legal – Commercial and Place, by deputising when required and where appropriate, contribution and overseeing all aspects of the delivery of the Planning and Regeneration legal teams work, championing continuous improvement and efficiency for both short term and long term
- Have full responsibility for the efficient management of the budget for the Planning and Regeneration legal team. Ensuring that external legal costs relating to their areas of legal work are efficiently and properly managed and that the quality and service provision represent good value for money and any performance issues are addressed in a timely manner.
- Ensure the team assists and supports the Council in achieving its outcomes successfully.
- Establish and maintain an understanding of the client’s business needs and objectives through building and maintaining professional relationships. Mentoring and encouraging more junior team members so that the clients objectives are understood and shared through the team.
- Deputise for the Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and Head of Legal – Commercial an Place at committee meetings, meetings with Senior Officers or other important meetings with Councillors and external stakeholders.
- Be the Council’s legal adviser at meetings where members are required to make decisions on Planning and other related matters.
The Ideal Candidate
- We're looking for a candidate who enjoys collaborative working across a number of teams.
- You'll enjoy problem solving and delivering a professional service. You’ll be interested in legal and democratic processes.
- Solicitor, Barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales/English Bar) or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives or equivalent relevant qualification with relevant experience.
- Demonstrable significant knowledge of relevant local government law and proven ability to be the Council’s lead expert in Planning and Regeneration work.
- Demonstrate aptitude to manage and motivate staff, including an understanding how to manage the quality, timeliness and volume of a team’s work.
- Proven ability to effectively manage budgets.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including minute-taking and report writing.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in handling sensitive information and records.
- Role model displaying positive behaviours at all times.
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.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
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.
