Principal Lawyer (Transport and Infrastructure)

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

Job summary

A regional legal authority seeks an experienced Principal Lawyer in Liverpool to manage commercial contracts and public procurement. Ideal for those with strong drafting and negotiation skills, this role involves advising on complex legal agreements while contributing to strategic projects impacting the community. Candidates should be qualified solicitors or equivalent with 4+ years PQE. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible working options, supporting a substantial legal framework within the city region.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme contributions

29-34 days holiday entitlement

Free travel around Liverpool City Region

Flexible and hybrid working

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Corporate discounts at gyms

Bike to Work Scheme

Coaching and professional development support

Qualifications

• Typically 4+ years PQE, welcomed from exceptional candidates with less experience.
• Experience of complex legal agreements.
• A high level of strategic awareness.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial contracts and public procurement projects.
• Draft and advise on a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Support strategic projects impacting the Liverpool City Region.

Skills

Strong drafting and negotiation skills

Confident communication

Proactive problem-solving

Education

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

Job description

Principal Lawyer (Transport and Infrastructure)

December 8, 2025

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/25/327441

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 commercial contracts and public procurement, supporting a wide range of organisational activities and strategic projects. Experience of construction and projects law may be advantageous, but the role involves drafting and advising a wide range of commercial contracts including funding, marketing and IT agreements.

Key Projects

• Rail Operations
• Merseyrail Concession Agreement – Managing the region’s rail network through a long‑term operating contract.
• Rolling Stock Project – Introducing a new fleet of Class 777 trains
• Train Connectivity and Information Systems Project – Implementing a system enabling real‑time communication between trains and the control room
• Baltic Station – Constructing a new station in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle
• Station Enhancements – Upgrading key stations including Liverpool Central and Sandhills

• Bus Operations
• Bus Reform Programme – Transitioning to a franchised bus network
• Fleet Procurement – Modernising bus travel with new electric, diesel and rapid transport vehicles
• Depot Infrastructure – Upgrading bus depots to support the new fleet and new technologies
• Green Bus Routes – Reducing congestion and emissions and supporting active travel through priority corridors

• Wider Transport Projects
• Mersey Tunnels – Ongoing management and maintenance
• Ferry Services Modernisation – Introducing a new vessel and upgrading supporting infrastructure
• Smart Ticketing Systems – Implementing an integrated contactless payment system across the transport network
• Public Sector Decarbonisation Schemes – Retrofit and energy efficiency works at public sector sites
• Social Housing Retrofit Programmes – Energy performance improvements across thousands of homes in partnership with housing providers
• Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Scheme – Installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city region
• Mersey Tidal Power Project – A flagship renewable energy project with the potential to generate up to 1 GW of clean electricity

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 seizing 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 and vulnerable adults and expects all 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.