Principal Lawyers

East Midlands; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in the UK is seeking two Principal Lawyers to provide strategic legal leadership and advice across complex commercial, governance, and procurement matters. This is a full-time role that offers the chance to shape the legal service and make a tangible impact in the East Midlands. Applicants should be qualified solicitors or barristers with senior-level experience in legal roles.

Qualifications

• Experience in advising on complex legal issues in the public sector or a large organization.
• Expertise in regeneration, procurement, housing, planning or governance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead legal workstreams in multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal leadership within the new legal team.
• Deliver strategic legal advice across complex commercial, governance and procurement matters.
• Help shape the frameworks underpinning regional devolution.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support the regional agenda.

Skills

Advising on complex legal issues

Leadership in legal workstreams

Clear communication

Collaborative, solutions-focused approach

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Senior level legal experience

Job description

East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is the first mayoral combined county authority in the country – a bold new organisation established in 2024 to drive growth and opportunity across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham. By bringing decision-making closer to our region, we’re creating a better connected, more competitive and more prosperous East Midlands.

We’re building a brand new legal team with the potential to achieve something special. This is a unique opportunity to join at a formative stage, help design a legal service fit for the future, and play a key role in delivering our ambitious regional agenda – including our flagship Inclusive Growth programme.

Overview

We’re recruiting two Principal Lawyers to provide expert legal leadership within our new and ambitious team. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will deliver strategic legal advice across complex commercial, governance and procurement matters – helping to shape the frameworks that underpin regional devolution. This is a pivotal role offering professional challenge, visibility and genuine impact across the East Midlands.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal leadership within the new legal team.
• Deliver strategic legal advice across complex commercial, governance and procurement matters.
• Help shape the frameworks underpinning regional devolution.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support EMCCA’s regional agenda and Inclusive Growth programme.

About you

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience of advising on complex legal issues in the public sector or a large organisation.
• Expertise in one or more relevant areas – such as regeneration, procurement, housing, planning or governance.
• Clear communicator with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
• Motivated by the chance to make a tangible impact across the East Midlands.

Qualifications and seniority

• Senior level or equivalent experience in relevant legal roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead legal workstreams in multi-stakeholder environments.

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal

Industries

• Legal Services

Why EMCCA?

We’re a values-driven organisation – lifting our region, working together, making an impact, and being human. Join us and help build a prosperous, sustainable, and fairer East Midlands from the ground up. This is your chance to be part of something new – shaping a region, influencing policy, and leaving a legacy that will benefit generations to come.

EMCCA is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.

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