Lawyer

Our lawyers are at the heart of everything we do, from the successful delivery of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to the implementation of the new Deeper Devolution Deal which will see more powers and funding devolved to us from central government.

From delivering the metro programme and building a transport system that links people to opportunities, developing the region in terms of employment, skills, and communities, to helping unlock brownfield sites so that new homes can be built, the range of work you can get involved with is unparalleled.  

We are looking for knowledgeable and experienced lawyers to join our growing legal team. As a key member, you will play a crucial role in the provision of high-quality legal services to the Combined Authority. Collaborating within the Law and Governance Directorate, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of the legal service by providing timely and accurate legal and governance advice. This role requires proactive engagement with various business areas, supporting colleagues, and ensuring compliance with legal and institutional policies.

What will you be doing?

Legal Advice and Representation: 

• Communicate clear, timely, and professional legal advice and representation on a variety of matters within the designated legal team to Members and Officers of the Combined Authority.
• Conduct and manage a mixed caseload of straightforward and complex legal work, including the preparation and drafting of legal documents with minimal supervision.
• Prepare instructions and briefs to Counsel/external legal advisors and oversee their instruction.
• Attend key meetings to provide legal, procedural, and constitutional advice as required.

Team Support and Development:

• Assist senior team members with high-risk/complex cases and support junior team members as necessary.
• Actively promote a positive image of the Combined Authority.
• Keep up to date on relevant legislation, case law, codes of practice, and policy, ensuring continuing competence.

Relationship Building and Collaboration:

• Maintain good working relationships with allocated business areas and support junior staff in delivering advice.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with fellow officers and foster partnership working with external partners/agencies.

Continuous Improvement and Project Work:

• Contribute to the development of a customer-focused legal service through the development of strategies, systems, and processes.
• Lead the design and delivery of training courses and self-help resources to support non-legal colleagues in managing complex legal issues.
• Proactively identify areas for improvement and self-service within Legal Services to optimize team resources.
• Represent Legal Services in cross-departmental project work and lead appropriate projects within the team.

About you. 

Detailed and working knowledge of local governance procedures and knowledge of the legal regime within which a Mayoral Combined Authority operates, are essential. Experience and knowledge in one or more of the following specialist areas:

• Contracts
• Procurement
• Planning
• Property
• Governance
• Litigation (Contract, Judicial Reviews and/or Employment)

The role demands not only theoretical knowledge across an entire specialist area but also the ability to apply this knowledge to specific job requirements through extended formal training and professional experience.

Skills Matrix

Legal Expertise and Knowledge: Requires advanced knowledge of organisational procedures, legislation, and advanced underlying principles in a specialist area. Developed understanding of the overall legal issues that affect the organisation as a public authority. Extended formal training to graduate or professional qualification level, combined with practical experience.

Problem-Solving and Mental Skills: Regularly faced with problems requiring resolution, some not covered by existing rules or procedures. Requires creative skills for new solutions, incorporating untried ideas within the sector. Contributes to the development of strategies and policies.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Leadership skills required to motivate and train staff. Highly developed advisory, guiding, negotiating, persuasive, and empathic skills, sometimes at a very highly developed level.

Initiative and Independence: Interpret policies and procedures for own work with broad practice or guidelines with general managerial direction.

Responsibility for People: May occasionally demonstrate duties, give advice, guidance, or training to other employees, or trainees.

Join us for an Eventbrite hosted by our Director of Law and Governance, Helen Edwards, and our Head of Legal Services, Kieran Stockley to find out more about WMCA and our roles on the 20th February: 

• 1-2pm - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wmca-opportunities-webinar-legal-tickets-811257682567?aff=oddtdtcreator  
  
• 6pm-7pm -  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wmca-opportunities-webinar-legal-tickets-835868534287?aff=oddtdtcreator

Creating an Inclusive Workplace.

West Midlands Combined Authority is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future, we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.

Salary and Benefits.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.

Location and Working Pattern - what you can expect.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 1-2 days each week spent in the office.

About us.

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognized as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

Reasonable Adjustments.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please reach out to our Recruitment Team at careers@wmca.org.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.