Senior Lawyer - Contracts & Commercial - WMF2499e

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job reference REQ Date posted 11/12/2025 Application closing date 21/12/2025 Location KENDAL Salary £56,883 £59,198 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank

Location: South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DQ; and an ability to work across Westmorland and Furness Council offices where required (Hybrid Working may also be considered).

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland and Furness Council is a new and ambitious unitary authority, committed to transforming public services and making our region a "great place to live, work, and thrive".

We are seeking an experienced and motivatedSenior Commercial and Contracts Lawyerto join our high-performing legal team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a legal professional who thrives on challenge and is ready to take the next step in their career in a Senior capacity.

In this role, you will manage your own caseload, including high-profile, transformative projects that require a multidisciplinary, business-partnering approach.

The role will involve providing advice on complex, high-risk, and strategically significant commercial and contracting matters, supporting corporate governance, policy development, and strategic planning and you will lead on the development and analysis of the Commercial and Procurement team's legal advice service relating to construction matters

At the heart of our work is a commitment to good governance and sound decision-making. The successful candidate will be expected to champion these principles across the organisation.

We are proud of our legal team's culture-driven, ambitious, and supportive. Staff wellbeing is a top priority, and we are looking for someone who shares our values and is eager to contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.

You will work with the Group Lawyer- Commercial and Contracts, assisting in the continuous improvement and development of the Legal Service, helping us deliver a dynamic, high-quality legal offering that reflects our ambition to become a Legal Centre of Excellence and will be expected to deputise in the absence of the Group Lawyer

Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills are essential. You will work closely with colleagues across the Council to understand their needs, and support the development of legal and governance knowledge within service areas.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Julie Nicholls, Group Lawyer- Commercial and Contracts, at

We look forward to hearing from you.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.Our benefits Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.