Job description

2 month contract role with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• Principal Property Lawyer required to provide senior-level legal advice and leadership within a County Council Legal Services function.

• The role sits within Law & Governance and is responsible for delivering high quality, timely and commercially focused legal advice to support strategic decision-making.

• The post holder will lead and manage a team of lawyers, oversee resource allocation and budgets, and contribute to service transformation, organisational change and continuous improvement within a Lexcel-accredited, paper-light environment.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Provide authoritative legal advice and representation in complex property matters to ensure the Council operates lawfully and effectively.

• Lead and manage a defined group of legal staff, setting objectives, monitoring performance and supporting professional development.

• Allocate internal resources and manage external legal spend in line with budgetary controls.

• Contribute to strategic planning and policy development within Legal Services and the wider Council.

• Identify legal risks, trends and emerging issues, advising senior stakeholders accordingly.

• Represent the Council in negotiations, advocacy, proceedings and high-level meetings (including with judges, magistrates, police and partner organisations where required).

• Drive service improvement, transformation initiatives and implementation of new ways of working.

• Ensure compliance with Lexcel standards and effective use of electronic case management systems.

• Work collaboratively with internal departments, elected members and external partners to deliver value for money and high-quality services.

• Lead major projects, reviews and cross-functional initiatives aligned with Council priorities.

Skills/Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practise in England & Wales with a current practising certificate.

• Substantial senior-level experience within local government or a comparable public sector environment.

• Extensive knowledge of property law and local government legal frameworks.

• Strong leadership and people management experience, including coaching and mentoring.

• Proven budget and resource management capability.

• Strong advocacy skills or aptitude for advocacy.

• Experience leading change management and service transformation initiatives.

• High-level negotiation and influencing skills.

• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving ability.

• Confident communicator able to convey complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.

• Experience operating within politically sensitive environments.

• Proficient in electronic case management systems and paper-light working practices.

Additional Information:

• The closing date: 23/03/2026.

• Location: Surrey.

• Rate: £60 per hour (UMB).

• Flexible and remote working environment with hot-desking in offices.