Senior Planning Lawyer / Contracts and Procurement Senior Lawyer (two posts)

Employer: Harborough District Council

Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time/Part Time

Hours: 22.2 & 37 hours. Part-time or job-share basis will be considered.

DBS Check: Yes

Closing Date: 17/10/2025 at 09:00

Reference: LD/25/319452

Location: Hybrid working - Offices in Market Harborough Leicestershire

Salary: Grade 10 - £51,356 to £54,495 pa pro rata for part time. This post attracts a market supplement of up to 5% of starting annual salary depending on experience.

Status:

• Contracts and procurement Senior Lawyer – full time permanent (37 hours per week)
• Planning Senior Lawyer – part time permanent (22.2 hours per week)

We understand that for most, home life is a priority, so we are happy to consider either role on a part-time or job-share basis.

Car user: casual

About Harborough District Council

Harborough District Council is committed to delivering high-quality services to its community in Market Harborough, the town of Lutterworth, part of the Leicester urban area, and numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Market Harborough is a charming English market town known for its historic architecture, vibrant market, and picturesque countryside.

We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Lawyers to join the Council’s Legal Services team as Senior Lawyers. These roles are pivotal in ensuring the Council’s activities are conducted lawfully and transparently, contributing to the Council’s goal of continuous improvement in service quality, cost efficiency, and customer responsiveness.

The Roles

For both senior roles you will be required to ensure that the implications of local government law are understood and complied with, including the statutory requirement within the Council. You will draft and advise on reports for Cabinet, Council Committees and other meetings as required ensuring that all procedural and standing order requirements are complied with.

You will already be an experienced lawyer and depending on your knowledge and experience you will act as the lead advisor on a broad range of planning or contracts and procurement matters. You will be responsible for your own caseloads, which will cover a wide range of diverse, complex and interesting matters.

Key responsibilities for both posts include:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx with a current England & Wales practising certificate.
• Handle a caseload of complex and sensitive legal issues.
• Provide training and support to other officers in legal procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all Council policies and statutory requirements.
• Promote a culture of excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience in the public sector or in private practice.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing demands and tight deadlines.

Senior Lawyer – Planning – Specific Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the delivery of legal services in planning matters.
• Several years post-qualification experience in planning law, including s.106 agreements, planning appeals, and enforcement.

Senior Lawyer - Contracts & Procurement – Specific Key Responsibilities

• Several years post-qualification experience in contracts and procurement law, including preparing contract documentation, advising on compliance and governance requirements, and negotiating agreements.
• Lead and manage the delivery of legal services in contracts and procurement matters.

About You

In these roles you will be expected to display sound decision making, excellent interpersonal and influencing skills. You will be confident in public speaking and problem solving. As a self-motivated individual with commitment to achieving targets, you will be an organised professional with experience of handling a broad caseload.

If you are interested in this role and would like an informal discussion, please contact Julie Young, Head of Legal Services by emailing j.young@harborough.gov.uk.

How to Apply

You can apply for this job online at www.harborough.gov.uk/job-application. Should you have any difficulties applying online please email recruitment@harborough.gov.uk. CVs will not be accepted. Please specify which post you are applying for on your application form and ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the person specification.