We have a vacancy for a Senior Solicitor to lead our contracts & procurement team and act as Business Partner to our main procurement clients. We are seeking an experienced lawyer with supervisory experience, able to lead an enthusiastic team and provide expert advice in contracts and procurement law.

The Council has a fully flexible working system that includes home/hybrid working, with adaptable working hours subject to meeting our clients’ needs. As this is a supervisory role the successful candidate will be working in a hybrid manner mixing home working with some regular office attendance required for team, management and client meetings as well as taking part in a regular in-office Duty Solicitor rota.

About you:

You will need to be a practising Solicitor or Barrister with demonstrable experience and excellent knowledge of contracts / public procurement law. You will need strong leadership and inter-personal, drafting, negotiating and advisory skills and competence with IT and case management systems. We value an enabling, positive approach to finding solutions to complex problems and the ability to anticipate and adapt to business and client needs with a good understanding of risk management.

The Team operates in a fast paced, proactive and client focused way with our three Council clients, and you would be leading a highly performing team working with other Team Leaders and reporting directly to the Head of Legal Partnerships. We are an outcome-focused service recognised for its dedication to improving the communities in which we live and work and delivering professional excellence.

If you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you. For further information about this role please view the relevant job description on our website.

What we can offer you:

Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• A generous local government pension scheme.
• Flexible working (role dependant). Up to 13 days of Flexi Leave.
• Hybrid working arrangements (role dependant).
• 28 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays.
• Online Benefits – salary sacrifice schemes, benefits and discounts.
• Great local transport links.
• Employee assistance programme with access to our health wellbeing and support.

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the position please contact Sarita Riley, Head of Legal Partnerships on 023 8083 3218 (sarita.riley@southampton.gov.uk)

Interview Information:

Interviews are expected to be held in July and August 2025. Please note that the Council may offer exceptional candidates interviews while the recruitment remains open and reserves the option to appoint before the close of the recruitment period for the right candidate.

Recruitment contact details:

Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk  
Tel: 023 8083 4033