Major Projects Lawyer

Ref: WCC283570

Salary range: £68,346 - £76,521 per annum. Salary is negotiable depending on experience.

Work location: Westminster City Hall, London, SW1E 6QP 

Hours per week:  36

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 23 January 2022

Interview Date: 7 February 2022

Contact details for an informal discussion: Sarah Baker, Chief Solicitor on 07817054770 or via email at sbaker@westminster.gov.uk

About Us:

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF HUMAN LAW

Legal Services in Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories. Where our people look beyond the obvious to do life-altering work.

At Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we put local people and local businesses at the heart of decision-making, working in partnership with them to provide quality services that are responsive, effective and efficient. Our Bi-Borough legal service supports both councils and is involved in some of the most exciting large-scale regeneration and development schemes in London. 

The Role:

This is an opportunity to apply your legal and professional expertise to deliver major projects of considerable social value across two high-profile local authorities. Although we offer diverse challenges, your initial focus will on our ambitious plans for social housing and community development, including 1,800 new homes in the area. You will be a member of the project team from its initiation, advising and challenging both internal clients and external suppliers, and driving positive outcomes for our residents. It is a role that offers you senior-level challenge and exposure, as well as considerable autonomy in the way you work. Benefiting from the support of a collaborative team, you will, in turn, share your technical knowledge to upskill and develop others. 

About You:

We’re looking for a skilled and innovative major projects lawyer who is adept at cross-disciplinary working. As a qualified solicitor or barrister, you’ll have extensive knowledge and experience in major regeneration projects, along with a broad understanding of local government law. Exceptional communication, negotiation, collaboration and problem -solving skills are essential. You will be capable of providing complex legal and procedural advice to Council members, officers and other stakeholders. Commercial acumen and an awareness of the political and corporate implications of decisions are key to success.  A flexible, can-do attitude will aid your progress in this diverse, fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment. 

The Council and its partners are committed to achieving diverse shortlists for all vacancies at Band 4 or above to support our desire to increase the number of staff from underrepresented groups in our workforce. As part of this ambition, if you are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME) you can self-declare this to the hiring manager as part of our positive action commitments.

What We Offer:

In return, you can look forward to a package that includes a competitive salary, a high-quality pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. We want Westminster to be a place you can make the most of your talents and thrive as an individual.  As a progressive and innovative organisation, we welcome applications from candidates keen on working in an agile environment with flexible conditions. 

Westminster is an amazing place. There are 250,000 diverse residents, over 50,000 vibrant and vital businesses and three-quarters-of-a-million people working here every day.  Our mission is to create city for all. We’re an organisation that wants the very best for our residents:  a supportive and safe environment, the chance to grow and learn throughout their lives, to build fantastic careers in world-leading industries, to have access to high-quality, affordable housing and to retire into the community with dignity and pride.

We want Westminster to be a place you can make the most of your talents and thrive as an individual. That’s why we’re proud to have won Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative in the 2020/21 Business Culture Awards. By being the best you can be, you’ll help us adapt to the changing needs of our organisation and communities.  

At Westminster City Council, we are passionate about our aim to be an inclusive workplace for all that reflects the communities we serve, and we believe everyone is valued. We particularly welcome applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and those with hidden or visible disabilities. We’re committed to ensuring all our staff – regardless of gender, age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity or disability – can succeed. We value diversity and appreciate that people work in different ways. So, as a Timewise employer we work to provide flexible working arrangements and an empowering environment that enables you to be your best, that is the Westminster Way.