Job Description

Job description
We're looking for an exceptional Principal Contracts Lawyer to lead our Corporate and Commercial Team and drive strategic legal solutions for the Council and its partners. This is your opportunity to influence major projects, champion innovation, and make a real difference to our community.



We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.



We support hybrid working, it's important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you'll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About The Role:

As the corporate lead legal officer for the council on significant strategic contracts, you will have overall responsibility for the allocation, supervision, monitoring, and management of all legal work related to key strategic procurements requiring legal input. This includes overseeing work performed for the council by external legal providers.



You will also be responsible for providing legal input on committee reports and responses to Members' inquiries as directed by the Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services.



Additionally, you will ensure that Members and Senior Officers are informed of any proposed or actual changes in the external environment that could impact the Council's legal position.



You will represent the legal services department on various boards, such as procurement and commissioning boards.

About You:

You'll possess expert knowledge of the law and procedures relevant to local authority functions, particularly in contracts and procurement law. You'll be adept at negotiating and drafting complex legal agreements and providing expert legal advice both orally and in writing. As an experienced senior manager, you will have the ability to lead a team of lawyers and support staff effectively.



You'll be skilled in obtaining and evaluating evidence, preparing complex cases, and identifying key issues to determine the best course of action for the council in intricate legal matters. With a strong ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally, you will be a persuasive and influential leader.



You will also demonstrate emotional intelligence, fostering partnerships and collaborative relationships within and across departments to achieve corporate and departmental objectives in partnership with others.



To apply for this role, you will have:


A current practising certificate and be entitled to practice in England as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executive An ability to work to tight deadlines and work well whilst under pressure. An ability to work effectively as part of a team. A strong working knowledge of contract and procurement law. Proven experience with various contractual agreements within a local government context. Expertise in managing commercial contracts, procurement, information management, IT, technology, construction, intellectual property, public law, and grant agreements. Experience handling public procurement issues and frameworks. Familiarity with JCT and NEC contracts. A demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of senior lawyers, lawyers, and support staff, including paralegals and trainees.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.



Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team

- work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency

- show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious

- be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading

- maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.



A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:


Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please email Jonathan Treherne, Strategic Lead - Corporate Law at

Jonathan.Treherne@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 10th December 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: Interview in person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading