Senior Commercial Contracts Lawyer

Full Time - Fixed Term for 12 Months
Now is the perfect time to join us as we deliver our ambitions to be the best place to practice law in local government; being close to our customers, recruiting the best talent, successfully deploying legal technology and ensuring the continued growth of the business to new customers.
Reading’s Legal Service provides the Council and its partners with the highest quality professional legal advice and representation which allows them to run their organisations well, and to serve our community. 
We host a Joint Legal Team, a long-standing shared legal service for all the Berkshire councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adults and education law. As well as leading a highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, serving the needs of the Council across a wide range of functions .
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:
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Contracts lawyer to join our Corporate Commercial Team. You will require an excellent working knowledge of:
Commercial contracts, procurement, production and distribution, data and information management, IT, technology, construction, intellectual property, public law
Have knowledge on Public Contract Regulations, Provider Select Regime and Subsidy Control Act 2022
Experience of public procurement matters and frameworks
Provide comprehensive legal support to the Council’s project teams from inception to completion
Draft and negotiate legal agreements, often on a bespoke basis, to support project objectives for the Council, to protect their legal position.
Provide strategic and professional advice on legal, constitutional, and corporate governance issues.
You will be part of a dynamic team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As part of Team Reading, you will play your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place by:
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.
 
About you
Our ideal candidate 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
Be able to hold a caseload of public sector contracts and frameworks
Experience of managing and supervising junior colleagues
An ability to work to tight deadlines and work well whilst under pressure.
An ability to work effectively as part of a team.
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.
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 - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & 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 contact Shaidah Ramzan (Legal Services Manager & DMO) at shaidah.ramzan@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 4th February 2024
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme