Senior Legal Officer

Senior Legal Officer (Contracts and Commercial)

Full time – 37 hours per week (Permanent)

NS12 £41,771 to £44,075 per annum plus a £5,000 market supplement until March 2028 (subject to review)

Hybrid working based in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

This role may also be offered as a development opportunity for candidates who are fully qualified but have less post-qualification experience. Please see below for details

Step into a pivotal legal role where your expertise shapes public service delivery.

Are you a skilled legal professional ready to make a real impact in local government? We’re looking for a dynamic Senior Legal Officer to join our Legal Services team—supporting the Principal Legal Officer in delivering high-quality, efficient legal support to the Council and its partners. Also, whilst previous local government experience is desirable, it is not essential and we welcome applicants with no local government experience.

This is more than just a legal job, it’s a chance to influence decisions, represent the Council at the highest levels, and manage a diverse caseload that keeps you engaged and challenged every day.

If you’re the right person with the drive and potential but slightly less experience but qualified, we’d still love to hear from you. We can offer this role as a development opportunity at NS10 grade £36,363 to £39,152, supporting your growth into the full Senior Legal Officer position.

What you’ll be doing:

• Advising on, drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts and agreements.
• Providing advice and support in relation to matters of contractual disputes and resolution.
• Carrying out work and providing advice in relation to the varied range of Council services.
• Supporting and advising on commercial aspects of the Council’s exciting regeneration projects across the District.

What you’ll bring:

• You’re a Solicitor with a current practising certificate, trainee Solicitor about to qualify, Barrister or a qualified Legal Executive.
• Proven experience handling a substantial and complex legal workload across diverse areas.
• Excellent advising, drafting and negotiation skills.
• A passion for public service, a sharp legal mind, and the confidence to advise at all levels of governance.

This is your opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact environment where your legal acumen helps shape the future of our community.

We’re an ambitious, forward-thinking Council with strong values and a culture of doing our absolute best to serve our customers. We are proud of our organisational culture and receive positive feedback from our employees. We have a programme of internal activity to ensure that the voices of our employees are always heard and that they are kept informed on all Council activity and events. From roadshows to an annual award ceremony, it is incredibly important our employees are shown how valued they are and that they remain the beating heart of our workplace.

We offer:

• Enrolment in the career average local government pension scheme.
• Flexi scheme.
• Hybrid working.
• A generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service.
• Family-friendly benefits.
• One days’ paid volunteering leave.
• Lifestyle benefits platform.
• Funded health cash plan.
• Free car parking*
• £10 a month gym membership at one of our four gyms in the district.

You will be working with a professional, committed and experienced team who are passionate about supporting us to deliver the objectives as outlined in our Community Plan. The Council has fully embraced hybrid working and home-working arrangements are well established offering a truly hybrid setup including a weekly team day in the office.

For an informal chat or more information, please contact Bryony Norman, Principal Legal Officer on 01636 655399.

*Free staff parking is valid until 30 June 2026.

As an employer we will promote an inclusive working environment to maintain and develop a forward thinking and diverse workforce.

Veterans/family of forces/ex-forces, those in care/care leavers, and candidates who declare disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be guaranteed interviews provided they have demonstrated that they meet the essential criteria of the post as detailed in the Person Specifications on their application forms.

Closing Date: Friday 9th January 2026

Interview: Week commencing 19 January 2026