Lawyer - Place

As a Lawyer Place you will be part of a client focussed and outcomes driven legal and democratic function. Your role will specifically focus on providing advice on a wide range of contracts, to include but not limited to, contracts for goods and services, construction contracts, contract variations and novations, grant agreements and advising on public procurement.

Your role will be in the Place Team which covers the areas of law of Contracts and Procurement, Land and Property including property related housing, Major Projects and Regeneration, Regulation and General Litigation and Common Law matters.

You will handle a legal caseload which may include complex and legally challenging matters, drafting legal documents and engaging in commercial and contractual negotiations with parties as appropriate.

You will advise and guide officers of the Council on Contract and Procurement matters always considering the broader implications of operating in a local government environment., We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations.

Our Legal team provides high quality legal advice to Senior Leaders, Elected Members, Council Officers, partner organisations and other key stakeholders across the public and private sector on a range of legal matters.

We aim to offer services which are good value for money, innovative in their approach and delivery, risk aware not risk averse and open to doing things differently.

We adopt a collaborative approach with all our clients' ensuring we are embedded in all their processes and decision making.

We are committed to the continuous professional development of our staff which includes the payment of professional fees, a wide range of training opportunities and potential for management development.

Our commitment to continuous professional development has seen us shortlisted for the Lawyers in Local Government Excellence in training award 2024.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do.

We are especially interested in hearing from candidates with Contract and Procurement experience.

You will be a Solicitor with a current practicing certificate or have an equivalent Barrister or Legal Executive qualification.

You will be an enthusiastic, highly motivated and professional individual with experience of providing legal advice to assist and guide clients when making decisions.

You will have experience of handling a personal caseload of legal cases including complex and significant matters. You will be able to engage in commercial and contractual negotiations with parties as appropriate.

You will have a proven track record in working in a pressured and deadline driven environment and be able to represent the service and the Council at a local and regional level as necessary.

Wigan Council has been voted Overall Council of the Year' at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards ., Wigan Council prides itself on equality , inclusion and promoting diversity within the borough and aims to recruit a workforce that reflects our diverse communities.

We invest in training and developing our staff, in a positive learning environment, and aim to be a consciously inclusive employer.

We welcome applications from everybody in the community and would particularly encourage applicants from our underrepresented groups to apply.

At Wigan, it is really important to us that applicants demonstrate our Team Wigan behaviours, and we do all we can to make sure that everyone feels like they belong.

We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

To be appointable in this role you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK. If you are unsure, please visit the below link to check you qualify to apply.

Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Prove your right to work to an employer : Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Salary : Grade 8, £33,945 - £38,223 per annum.

37 hours per week