Principal Lawyer (Commercial)

NW Legal Consortium; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in Liverpool is seeking an experienced Commercial Lawyer to support legal services and manage funding arrangements. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with 4+ years PQE, possessing strong negotiation skills and strategic awareness. Responsibilities include managing complex legal agreements and supporting economic growth through legal frameworks. Competitive salary and extensive benefits including flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, and professional development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Free travel around Liverpool City Region

Flexible and hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Corporate discounts at gyms

Bike to Work Scheme

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Typically 4+ years PQE, open to exceptional candidates with less experience.
• Experience in complex legal agreements is essential.
• High level of strategic awareness required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Strategic Investment Fund for sustainable economic growth.
• Manage grant and loan funding arrangements and subsidy control.
• Handle a wide range of in-house legal matters.

Skills

Strong drafting and negotiation skills

Confident communication

Proactive, solutions-focused mindset

Ability to influence stakeholders

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer (England & Wales)

Job description

Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Salary: £59,311 – £70,405
Location: No 1 Mann Island, Liverpool
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
Hours: 35 hours per week.
DBS Check: No
Closing Date: 18/01/2026 at 23:59
Reference: RES/25/327437

About the Role

Join a dynamic legal team at the heart of one of the UK’s most ambitious and forward-thinking regional authorities. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is seeking an experienced and motivated Commercial Lawyer to help shape the future of our city region through high-impact legal work.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has made a significant contribution to the Liverpool City Region since being created in 2014 and becoming a Mayoral Combined Authority in 2017; and we continue to grow at a rapid rate with further powers expected to be devolved to the Authority in the near future. By using the devolved powers we have, we can make a real and meaningful difference to the lives of the people living, working and visiting the Liverpool City Region.

With increasing powers comes an increasing demand on the integral enabling services of the Combined Authority, and none less so than on Legal Services. This means we are looking forward to exciting growth within the team to continue to meet the demands of the Combined Authority and the Liverpool City Region, working together to make investments and decisions in areas that have a real impact on our communities, such as transport, employment, culture, digital and housing.

This role focuses primarily on grant and loan funding arrangements and subsidy control. While property and planning law experience is not essential, a working understanding of these areas may be advantageous. Experience in public and procurement law is also beneficial, providing valuable context to the Combined Authority’s legal landscape.

You’ll support the Strategic Investment Fund, which drives inclusive, sustainable economic growth across the region. Multi-million-pound investments span innovation, infrastructure, regeneration, and social enterprise, including:

Digital Infrastructure

• LCR Connect – Delivering a 212km full‑fibre network enabling gigabit connectivity and digital inclusion
• Brownfield Land Fund – Unlocking housing development across Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, and Knowsley
• Urban Development Fund – Supporting sustainable commercial and mixed‑use developments
• Chrysalis Fund – Financing regeneration projects
• LCR Life Sciences Innovation Zone – the first integrated Freeport and Investment Zone and the flagship model for the Government’s Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan.
• Sci‑Tech Daresbury – Expansion of lab‑enabled office space for high‑growth tech and life sciences firms
• LCR Seed Fund – Equity investment in early‑stage businesses in priority sectors
• Kindred CIC – Supporting socially trading organisations with inclusive economic models
• HyNet North West – Hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure for industrial decarbonisation
• Sustainable Urban Development Fund – Green infrastructure and flood resilience initiatives

Skills & Employment

• Skills Bootcamps – Training in digital, construction, and green sectors
• Adult Education Budget – Delivering inclusive learning and upskilling opportunities across the region

About the person

Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer (England & Wales). This is essential.

Typically 4+ years PQE, although we welcome applications from exceptional candidates with less experience.

Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage a wide range of in‑house matters.

Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders and manage competing priorities.

A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with a “can‑do” attitude and appetite for autonomy.

Please ensure that you provide clear examples and evidence in your application of how you meet the below key essential criteria.

The information you provide in your application will be used for shortlisting.

1) Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer (England & Wales) with extensive post‑qualification experience

2) Experience of complex legal agreements

3) A high level of strategic awareness

Please highlight how you meet the remaining essential criteria outlined in the person specification within your CV.

About the organisation

The Liverpool City Region is world‑famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world‑leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing – growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation‑led economy. We are seising the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK – investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business – where no‑one is left behind.

• Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All‑Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
• Corporate discounts at council‑owned gyms
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest‑free learning loan for any non‑job‑related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under‑represented by people from these communities.

To be considered under one of these schemes, you must indicate your eligibility in the relevant section of the application form. In addition, you must clearly demonstrate in your application how you meet the key essential criteria listed above.

Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Please note, CV applications will only be accepted alongside a completed personal and monitoring information online application form.