Principal Lead Lawyer

£61,024 - £65,891 per annum plus £689 outer area fringe, inclusive annual salary + up to 19.7 percent employer pension contribution

Permanent, 37 hours per week

Hybrid working

Job Ref: P2050

About the role

St Albans City and District Council and Watford Borough Council share their Legal Services. There is a great opportunity to be the Principal Lead Lawyer supporting Watford BC, primarily on property related projects and also assisting in agreeing and monitoring performance standards for the service and discussing and managing workloads with Stakeholders. This role has the potential opportunity to provide support to the partner Council’s Monitoring Officer.  

About you

To be effective in this role, you will come from a Property Law background and enjoy providing high level strategic advice. You will be adept at working across organisational boundaries and providing guidance to senior management.

You will act as deputy to the Head of the Legal Shared Service and have a key role in shaping our Legal Shared Services. You will also be line managing the Practice Management Team and Trainees. 

Our offices are based in central St Albans. This is a unique English Cathedral City with a colourful history which can be seen in the Roman remains and variety of beautiful architecture, heritage sites and conservation areas. Set within green belt, off the M25, A1M and M1, the District includes a cathedral, vibrant city centre and thriving villages. We are within walking distance of the train station (London St Pancras 20 minutes), shops and restaurants. In short it is a great place to live and work.

In addition to working within a great team and a comprehensive salary, you will have access to:

• 29.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service) + bank holidays. Please note: annual leave will be pro-rated for anyone who does not have a standard full-time pattern of 37 hours over 5 days, e.g. part-timers. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme with current employer contribution up to 19.7 percent employer contributions. 
• Flexible working options.  
• Staff Parking Permit. 
• Reimbursement of professional fees. 
• Comprehensive development and training. 
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres. 
• Access to discounts and benefits via online platform.  

Additional Information

• Disability Confident 
  We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets all the essential criteria for the post. 
• Disclosure Checks 
  This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check. 
• English Fluency 
  The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here. 

For an informal discussion, please contact Lucie Allen, Acting Head of Legal Shared Services, at Lucie.Allen@stalbans.gov.uk

A detailed job description and person specification are published on the advert for this role. The person specification sets out the criteria we use to assess applicants. The Council reserves the right to reject applicants at the shortlisting stage, where the application process has not been completed correctly. 

For full details and to learn more about us visit Jobs and Careers or email recruitment@stalbans.gov.uk or telephone (01727) 819251 stating your details and the post reference number.

Closing date for applications: 8 October 2024.

NOTE:  Interviews are conducted throughout the application process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy at an earlier date and we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.