Commercial Lawyers x3

Bristol is an exciting, diverse, and thriving City to live and work in. Bristol City Council reflects this, working to improve its Citizens lives, and the City in which they live.  

We are looking for 3 Commercial Lawyers to join our Commercial & Governance Team in Legal Services (the team covers a mix of Procurement Contracts, Construction, Energy, Company, and Public Law.

Two Permanent, and One Fixed-Term Post (from January 2019, for up to 12 months to cover Maternity Leave). 

You will be part of a large team that works collaboratively, finding practical solutions to the many complex legal issues the commercial and governance team advise on. Working for a diverse and innovative Council, you will need to be quick-thinking and versatile, and comfortable working with a wide range of people. It’s an exciting, intellectually challenging environment that will test your legal expertise, judgement, and knowledge, to the full.

The roles will include advising external as well as internal clients, to assist with meeting the legal services income generation target. 

The Commercial and Governance team has 3 team leaders, 8 lawyers (including these posts), 3 legal officers and 1 legal assistant.  

You will advise on matters with minimal supervision, must be able to manage a substantial and varied caseload; and develop strong client relationships, delivering complex advice clearly. The ability to work to tight deadlines, and prioritize, will be essential. Above all, you will carry out all duties in a professional and accurate manner, with a client focussed approach.

You will be qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister, or have Fellowship of CILEx with a current practicing certificate, and be able to demonstrate post-qualification experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Construction Law and Works Contracts – experience of all national form contracts JCT, NEC, and their options
• Public Procurement – able to advise on all stages of the procurement process (familiarity with utilities regulations, as well as the Public Contracts Regulations, would be an advantage)
• Energy – regulatory framework and energy supply contracts, including wholesale purchase and retail sale (BCC has set up an energy company)
• Company Law and practice – including company secretary obligations, Company decision making. (BCC has established energy, housing, and waste companies, and provides general legal support)

We offer membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, flexible working, and a flexi-time scheme.

Please apply on-line. To be shortlisted for interview, your application will need to provide examples of matching all of the criteria set out within the Person Specification attached available on the council’s jobs portal/application process (see the link below).

 Interviews will be undertaken in the first two weeks of October.

 For further information please e-mail Jane Johnson, Business Manager Legal Services: Jane.Johnson@bristol.gov.uk