Procurement and Contracts Team Leader

Job Ref: P2495 Salary: £50,998 to £55,224 per annum, plus a Market Supplement of up to £5,000 depending on experience, plus Local Government Pension Scheme (pay award pending) Location: St Albans Working pattern: Permanent, full-time (37 hours per week), with flexible working options including hybrid working Role overview St Albans City and District Council is looking for a Procurement and Contracts Solicitor to lead the Legal Shared Service's Procurement and Contracts Team. This pivotal role combines leadership, collaboration and technical expertise, supporting the Council's corporate plan and priorities while ensuring high-quality legal and customer service delivery. What you'll be doing • Lead, support, develop and manage the Procurement and Contracts team, contributing to the development of the Legal Shared Service • Lead on complex legal matters, identifying risk and liability and advising on solution-focused strategies • Ensure the Legal Shared Service provides proactive, pragmatic and robust advice and support to all clients, internal and external • Ensure client requirements are met within legal constraints • Research, analyse, investigate and provide legal advice to councillors and officers on matters within the Council's functions • Attend Member and Officer meetings, including Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings, to help ensure decisions are lawful • Support delivery of high-quality customer service from the in-house team, external solicitors and counsel, aligned with the Council's corporate plan What you'll bring • Legal expertise and experience in contract law and local government procurement • A proven track record of managing a legal team • Strong interpersonal and client management skills • A collaborative approach to working across councils and teams What's on offer • 30.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service), plus bank holidays — pro rata for part-time working patterns • Local Government Pension Scheme • Flexible working options • Staff parking permit • Reimbursement of professional fees • Comprehensive development and training • Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres • Access to discounts and benefits via an online platform Additional information St Albans is a Disability Confident employer and guarantees an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets all the essential criteria for the role. This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check. The ability to converse easily with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for this role. Closing date for applications: 11 August 2026. Interviews are held throughout the application process, so early applications are encouraged. You may have experience of the following: Procurement Solicitor, Contracts Team Leader, Procurement and Contracts Manager, Legal Team Leader, Commercial Contracts Manager, Head of Procurement Legal Services, Senior Contracts Solicitor, Legal Services Manager, Procurement Lawyer, Contracts and Commercial Manager REF-229 613