Job Description

Job profile


The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

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Job reference

REQ00000018671

Date posted

21/07/2025

Application closing date

03/08/2025

Location

KENDAL

Salary

63,830 - 66,642

Package

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Attachments

Group Lawyer Manager (Contracts and Commercial) - WMF2156e

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Job description

Location: Kendal

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland and Furness Council is a new and ambitious unitary authority, committed to transforming public services and making our region a "great place to live, work, and thrive".



We are seeking an experienced and motivated

Commercial and Contracts Lawyer

to join our high-performing legal team in a senior capacity. This is an exciting opportunity for a legal professional who thrives on challenge and is ready to take the next step in their career.



In this role, you will manage your own caseload, including high-profile, transformative projects that require a multidisciplinary, business-partnering approach. You will also lead the Commercial and Contracts legal team, overseeing budgets and coordinating resources across legal specialisms in collaboration with other Group Lawyers.



At the heart of our work is a commitment to good governance and sound decision-making. The successful candidate will be expected to champion these principles across the organisation.



We are proud of our legal team's culture--driven, ambitious, and supportive. Staff wellbeing is a top priority, and we are looking for someone who shares our values and is eager to contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.

Who we are looking for...

You will play a key role in the continuous improvement and development of the Legal Service as a whole, helping us deliver a dynamic, high-quality legal offering that reflects our ambition to become a legal Centre of Excellence.



The role also involves providing advice on complex, high-risk, and strategically significant commercial and contracting matters, supporting corporate governance, policy development, and strategic planning.

Strong relationship-building skills are essential. You will work closely with colleagues across the council to understand their needs, plan legal resources accordingly, and support the development of legal and governance knowledge within service areas.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.

Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

Post Specification

Role Profile

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kevin Toogood, Senior Manager - Legal, at

kevin.toogood@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 3rd August 2025



We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.



Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website -

Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK

.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.



As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.



We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
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