Job Title: Principal Lawyer - Place

Job Summary:

The London Borough of Lewisham is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Lawyer to lead the Place team, which includes Planning, Property, Environmental, Contracts, Education, and Employment law. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a team of around 12-14 staff members, providing complex legal advice, and ensuring the highest professional and client care standards.

Main Responsibilities:

• Undertake complex legal advice and assistance, and manage and take responsibility for service delivery for a team within Legal Services.
• Deputise for the Head of Legal Services.
• Allocate work to appropriate members of staff, ensuring adequate training and development of staff and regular staff performance appraisals.
• Advise Mayor and Cabinet, Council, Committees, relevant members, the Monitoring Officer, and senior officers as required.
• Contribute significantly to decisions affecting Legal Services, including assisting in developing and implementing future strategy.
• Project manage, as appropriate, major tasks on behalf of Legal Services, as well as assisting in meeting the strategic objectives of Legal Services.
• Manage the finances and human resources of the team and ensure business plan objectives are met.
• Keep abreast of all current legal and professional legal requirements, informing and instructing colleagues as necessary.
• Introduce new procedures, as required, including those required under ISO9001 arrangement, whether arising from new legislation, changes in Council policy, new management practices, or otherwise, and in consultation with other affected departments.

Requirements:

• A current practising certificate (either as a Barrister, Solicitor, or Legal Executive).
• A can-do attitude with the confidence to lead and develop a team.
• Experience of managing a team.
• Strong experience in at least one of the below areas of law:
  • Regeneration.
  • Property.
  • Procurement and Contracts.
  • Planning.
  • Environmental Law and public realm.
  • Commercial Law.
• Ability to anticipate problems and solve them accordingly.
• Must be dependable and self-reliant.
• Experience working in a local government setting.
• May be required to attend committees occasionally.

Benefits:

• Local Government pension scheme.
• Bike loan and season tickets.
• Significant discounts in local cafes, shops, and restaurants.
• Discounted Gym membership.
• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Access to a health insurance scheme.
• Supportive staff networks.
• Flexible working arrangements.