Senior Lawyer - Contracts & Commercial

Job description

Are you are an ambitious, innovative solicitor, barrister or CILEX with contracts & commercial experience, who would relish the opportunity to influence change?

City of York Council has an exciting opportunity for an experienced, ambitious and innovative senior lawyer to join our legal services team.

If you thrive in working in a busy environment as part of a friendly team, this may be the next career opportunity for you.

The role will be based in the contracts & commercial team, supporting the Council's major projects teams, working on a range of multi-disciplined, high-profile projects, such as

York Station Gateway , York Outer Ring Road , and York Castle Gateway along with other exciting redevelopment projects taking place in York.

The role will also support the Council on a wide range of contractual and commercial matters, from day-to-day commercial work as well as complex and high value project work.

As part of a wider legal service, you will be at the forefront of big changes as we implement the new Council Plan.

You may have built your career and experience by working in the public sector, but we also welcome applications from candidates who have not worked in the local government legal sector before, those who are looking for a career change or those who may be returning to work after a break.

Our offer to you:

• flexi-time, term-time only, job sharing and part-time working options
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years continuous local government service
• an additional 5 days paid leave for foster carers
• access to the local government pension schemeand optional Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme
• family friendly working policies including dependant care leave, maternity leave, adoption leave, paternity leave and parental leave
• employee wellbeing scheme and assistance programme including access to counselling, financial guidance, fitness and lifestyle advice, chaplaincy and expert advice and guidance covering a wide range of issues.
• a one-stop staff benefits platform including:
  • discounted retail and supermarket shopping, holidays, travel, cinema and theatre tickets and eating out
  • 'salary sacrifice' schemes to spread the cost of cycling to work, car leasing, gym memberships, household, ICT and electrical items, and charity donations
  • access to discounted bus and train tickets for travel to work, and to a health cash plan
  • periodically discounted adult learning classes
  • staff lottery where a cash prize is drawn every month
• employee recognition programme - employee and team of the month awards

This role is suitable as a job share opportunity.

This post is deemed as politically restricted. As designated politically restricted officers, employees will not be allowed to undertake certain activities. Please refer to the guidance attached for further information.

Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.

Please note, we do not have a sponsorship licence to sponsor individuals for visas to work in the UK, therefore we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Dan Moynihan at or on .

Closing date: Sunday 2 November 2025 at 12 midnight.

Interview date: w/c 10 November 2025.