Solicitor/Senior Legal Adviser - Property & Contracts Team

About Us

This is a pivotal time for North Somerset. As the Council prepares to join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), creating opportunities for greater regional collaboration, investment and economic growth, the Property & Contracts Team is at the forefront of supporting the Council’s strategic ambitions and delivering projects that benefit our communities.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic practising solicitor or Fellow Chartered Legal Executive to join our in-house legal team. You will advise on a diverse range of complex property, planning and contractual matters, supporting significant capital investment and regeneration initiatives, together with the continuing devolution of assets to town and parish councils.

This is a rare opportunity to develop your career while helping shape the future of North Somerset. Working as part of a friendly and experienced team of lawyers, you will play a key role in delivering a varied and interesting portfolio of work that supports the Council’s priorities and the communities we serve.

Please refer to the job description for a fuller explanation of requirements.

Valid driving licence and own transport or be able to provide alternative suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council we offer a hybrid working environment and this role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work both from home and 1 day per week from our office in Weston-super-Mare depending on the task at hand.

However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

About You

You will have:

• Excellent working knowledge and practical experience of dealing with all types of complex property related matters, s106 planning agreements and services agreements.
• Experience of drafting, negotiating, and completing legal documents and the ability to give clear and accurate legal advice.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work under pressure, able to prioritise your workload to meet client requirements.
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and self-motivated.
• Competent ICT skills with good keyboard skills.

You will be a practising solicitor or a Fellow Chartered Legal Executive.

Please refer to the personal specification for further details of the essential and desirable criteria.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days’ annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle Schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Ann Rich, Solicitor and Team Leader on 01934 634934.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: 8 December 2026

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.