Assistant Lawyer - Contracts and Procurement

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• Candidate_Pack_-_Communities_Directorate_-_June_2025_PS
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Please apply online via the link provided.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Lawyer specialising in contracts and procurement, on a full-time, permanent basis.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

About you...

We are seeking a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with strong expertise in contract law and procurement law. The ideal candidate will be capable of delivering high-quality legal advice to both officers and elected members, while also offering innovative and practical solutions that align with our clients’ objectives and strategic goals. A deep understanding of client needs, coupled with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, is essential for success in this role.

As one of our assistant lawyers you will also be supported to develop your skills and competencies in a learning environment which values creativity, teamwork and innovation.

About the team...

We are a small team who works closely together to make sure that we are providing the best support to the council’s officers and members. Sometimes the work is challenging however there is also time for finding creative solutions and every day is different.

We are always looking for better ways of doing things. This means combining our technical skills with the softer skills that our clients value. We see ourselves as business partners to our clients, ensuring that legal advice is based upon a range of service delivery options and a proportionate appetite for risk. As enablers, we strive to ensure the council achieves its strategic aims whilst working within legal parameters.

Key responsibilities...

• To provide customer focused, high quality and responsive specialist legal advice and assistance, with primary focus in contracts and procurement.
• To carry out, with a minimum supervision, a wide range of legal work as required.
• To advise on and deal with all legal matters relating to contract and public procurement law, related governance and other general legal matters affecting the council and in particular matters arising from the Procurement Act 2023, PCR 2015 or Provider Selection Regime.
• To advise on and deal with all legal matters relating to subsidy control.
• To work closely with the council’s Procurement team to ensure that templates for standard terms and conditions, framework agreements and also Contract Standing Orders and the Procurement pages of the intranet are kept under review.

Our benefits...

• 28 days* annual leave increasing to 33 days* after 3 years’ continuous service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days* annual leave per year and sell 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice for an electric car at a fixed monthly cost (subject to eligibility).
• An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks.
• Local government pension scheme.
• Life insurance cover (linked to the pension scheme)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits such as annual leave entitlements, occupational maternity/paternity leave, and more. (Terms and Conditions apply – please refer to candidate pack for more information.)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• A great office location next to travel links and Bracknell Forest’s thriving town centre.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Sports and Social Club.
• Staff dental and health plans.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.

*(pro rata for part time)

Our values

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.

Interview date

Interviews will be held between 14th to 21st July 2025.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Name: Helen Brewster

Job title: Assistant Borough Solicitor (Place Team)

Phone number: 01344 352037

At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. At Bracknell Forest Council, we are always learning, ambitious and inclusive. Please see our candidate pack for more details.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.