Job Introduction
We have a great opportunity for a Senior Lawyer to join our growing and collaborative in-house legal team, specialising in housing.
In your role as Senior Lawyer (Housing), you will be one of the city council’s legal experts in core areas of the housing legal work dealt with by Legal Services
You’ll assist on many of the city council’s high profile and complex housing projects including dealing with possession matters arising from rent arears, anti-social behaviour, or failed succession, and court work relating to housing disrepair, anti-social behaviour and homelessness appeals.
You’ll ideally have at least five years post qualification experience as a Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive.
Main Responsibility
- Manage a caseload of medium and occasionally high-level matters ensuring that all work is both of a high quality and delivered in a timely manner.
- You will be accountable with the Principal Lawyer for the delivery of key performance targets for the team.
- Establish and maintain client relationships through understanding their business needs and objectives.
- Provide legal guidance and advice to the client departments where required.
- Demonstrate a personal commitment to the council’s values.
- Assist in supervising the advice, advocacy and casework of Trainees and Paralegals within the team.
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 relevant qualification with relevant experience.
- Experience of relevant legislation including relevant local government law.
- A team player who is able to work collaboratively to achieved shared goals.
- Ability to research complex areas of law and present them in clear and understandable terms to clients.
- Ability to negotiate and take action to represent and protect the interests, desires and good governance of the Council.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent pension scheme widely regarded as one of the best available.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
