Solicitor

North East Lincolnshire Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

Are you an experienced legal professional looking for an opportunity that offers flexible working, a diverse career path and progression?

We are recruiting a qualified Senior Solicitor or Staff Solicitor on a permanent full-time basis with significant knowledge of planning and highways law. If you are looking for excitement, where every day is different, and your role makes a huge impact on a local community...

This is it.

Our Purpose

North East Lincolnshire Council's Legal Services team is a dynamic and integral part of the Council, playing a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the Council Plan and the achievement of organisational objectives.

Legal Services have been fundamental in delivering vital projects within the borough including:

1. Regeneration of Riverhead Square and St James Square within Grimsby Town Centre
2. The redevelopment of Sea Road, Pier Gardens and Market Place, Cleethorpes

Your Role

We are seeking an experienced Staff Solicitor or Senior Solicitor on a full-time permanent basis to join our Legal Services team. No two days within the Council's legal team are the same and you will have a large and diverse caseload including development projects linked to the Council's dynamic regeneration program, and planning and highways matters.

Your main responsibilities will include:

1. Providing expert advice to client departments and senior management on major regeneration projects within North East Lincolnshire;
2. Providing expert advice to clients on a variety of planning and highways transactions including (but not limited to) agreements under s106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and s278 Highways Act 1980;
3. Drafting and negotiation of s106 agreements, traffic regulation orders, diversion orders and public path orders;
4. Attending and advising at Planning Committees and Portfolio Holder meetings;
5. Advising on enforcement of planning conditions and highway regulations;
6. Delivering training to officers and Councillors, as appropriate;
7. Serving as a mentor for junior team members;
8. Advising on all matters within the relevant subject areas as well as governance and local authority specific issues.

As a local authority solicitor, you'll often be called upon to advise on a range of other issues and so an adaptable, flexible and solution-focused approach is essential.

Why join NELC's Legal Team?

1. The team are a mix of experienced solicitors, senior legal officers, trainee solicitors and legal officers, covering a broad range of areas, and sharing their expertise and experience to work together effectively.
2. We work in a collaborative yet independent environment and ensure all members of the team are supported on their matters where assistance and guidance is provided when required.
3. The team are busy, friendly and welcoming and are happy to assist and provide advice to achieve the best value and outcome for client departments and the Council overall. Joining our team would provide a candidate with experience of high value projects, and further insight into local government law and governance.
4. Working in North East Lincolnshire Council's legal team provides a high level of flexibility in terms of working arrangements and hours, including hybrid home and office working and flexi-time.
5. In addition, the in-house legal team do not complete traditional legal time-recording and billing in comparison to some private sector law.
6. The work conducted by the team has a significant impact on the local area and the successful candidate's input on these projects and schemes is highly valued.
7. Development opportunities are also available in terms of additional training, shadowing other members of the team, and career progression.

About You

You should be a qualified Solicitor, complying with the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Local authority experience is desired but not essential. If you have the transferable skills, the Council will commit to providing you with the restorative and supportive environment you need to succeed. If you want a challenge, a diverse caseload and to break away from traditional billing focused private sector work, this is the job for you!

You will have significant experience in providing clear and concise legal advice and drafting of commercial documents.

You will have a high level of communication skills, be an adaptable and driven individual and be able to manage a fast-paced working environment.

You are a dynamic and skilled individual with commercial experience who can apply their knowledge and skills and is open to a new challenge.

Think you can make a difference? We want to hear from you.

Your Application

All applicants are advised to carefully read the information provided in the Role Profile and Person Specification. But note these are generic across Legal Services.

If you require an informal discussion about the role please contact:

Hannah Steer, 01472 324017, [e-mail]

Simon Jones, 01472 324004, [e-mail]

Eve Richardson-Smith, 01472 324159, [e-mail]

Key Dates

Interview date: TBC

We want you to have the best interview experience with us, so will provide candidates selected for interview their questions 24 hours in advance of meeting us.

As part of your RewardNEL package

You will have a generous leave entitlement (including bank holidays) and enrolment into a local government pension.

You will also have access to our exclusive RewardNEL platform.

This includes a variety of salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle2Work, Holiday Extra and Tusker (Car Lease), discounts at local coffee shops and bars, direct access to our in-house wellbeing support, free and discounted local car parking as well as instant access to new savings at major retailers, entertainment, and hotels.

NELC staff can also benefit from flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities and a Fostering friendly scheme.

Do you need support?

If you need any help applying for this position, please contact Wendy Trask on 07702 338542 (text or call). Wendy can support with digital access as well as offering advice and guidance about completing the different sections of the application form.

Your earnings go further in North East Lincolnshire, house prices are four times less than in London. Learn more about what our place has to offer at Life in North East Lincolnshire | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk) #FindYourSpace

Get to know us better

Check out our Council Plan and read about all the exciting new developments we have in the pipeline.

We regularly review data to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, transparent and promote equal opportunities for all. We also have an in-house Equalities Champions Group that works to promote and embed inclusivity in the workplace, helping us identify areas where we can take positive action, and make the organisation a safe space for colleagues to feel connected.