Senior Lawyer (Contracts and Commercial) - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 22 September 2025

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £55,181 - £58,269 / year

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8,000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

Description

Torbay is developing with a strong transformation programme that supports growth and high-quality services for residents and businesses. The Council values a proactive legal service that enables progress in a busy local government environment.

We are seeking a Senior Lawyer (Contracts / Commercial) to join our Legal Services Team to lead the council’s commercial, procurement and contracts caseload. The role covers both public and private sector work on behalf of the council, its wholly owned companies and partners. A solid understanding of or exposure to public sector legal work is desirable.

The role offers opportunities to influence key agendas and work alongside senior officers and elected members. We provide a supportive team and a hybrid working approach that balances essential meetings and court appearances with flexible working arrangements.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 29 September 2025. The advert may close early if a suitable candidate is found prior to the deadline.

Note: This post requires a Standard Criminal Check. It will show details of all spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions that have not been filtered in line with legislation.

For the full job description, please access the website: torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-contracts-and-commercial/

For an informal chat please contact: Philip Taylor on 01803 207142 or philip.taylor@torbay.gov.uk

Essential Qualifications:

• Admitted and practicing Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience.

Skills

• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal to varied audiences.
• Ability to provide clear and accurate complex legal advice in accordance with corporate policies and prevailing legislation in a local government setting.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, to interpret information and determine informed and appropriate solutions.

Knowledge

• A high level of knowledge of the law and procedure within the specialist discipline, with knowledge and understanding of at least one of the following:
• Public procurement / contracts legislation;
• Commercial contracts;
• Construction contracts (JCT, NEC).

Experience & Qualifications

• Admitted and practicing Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience.