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Senior Laywer

Job details
Posting date: 12 December 2025
Salary: £54,387 to £60,955 per year
Additional salary information: Competitive
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 26 December 2025
Location: Birmingham, B19 3SD
Company: West Midlands Combined Authority
Job type: Contract
Job reference: WMCA/TP/26674/739

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Summary

We’re looking for a Senior Lawyer to lead on critical legal work within our Commercial Property team, covering Housing, Planning and Regeneration. You’ll provide authoritative advice, draft and review contracts, and guide colleagues through complex governance issues. With major projects and grant funding deadlines approaching, this is a unique opportunity to make an immediate and lasting impact at a pivotal time for our organisation.

Please note that this is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

What you will be doing.

  • Daily you will be required to lead the provision of general legal work and advice which facilitates the delivery of the Business Area’s services. You will also signpost to advice on wider governance issues of relevance to the Business Area including the democratic process and Information Governance.
  • You will have sufficient expertise in regard to the law relating to the work of the relevant business area to be able to provide clear and authoritative advice to colleagues on a day to day basis.
  • You will advise on, draft, review, contracts and other legal documents and partner with the business on the legal implications of their activity.
  • Ensure that, where necessary, any external legal services are effectively managed to secure value for money.
  • It is expected you will remain aware of and up to date on relevant legal developments, understanding and communicating their implications to the business. You will be the first point of contact to provide legal advice and guidance for your business area.
  • Being an effective member of the business team which you partner and supporting completion of their objectives, plans/programmes of activity and change.

What’s essential.

  • Excellent business knowledge, particularly of the units you support – not just what they do, but their plans, strategy, interactions with other departments, and external stakeholders such as suppliers, customers, auditors, and regulators.
  • A good understanding of the overall legal issues that affect the organisation as a public authority.
  • Ability to connect knowledge of the relevant business area and the legal environment to ensure the Authority’s work is supported and all requirements of lawful decision-making and good governance are satisfied.
  • Excellent communication skills, presenting legal advice clearly so colleagues understand the implications and can act confidently.
  • Strong people skills, engaging with business colleagues to build trust and provide practical solutions.
  • Excellent customer service skills, ensuring the business area receives the support it needs while identifying opportunities to use resources effectively.
  • Persuasive and resilient, able to balance business priorities with legal risk and governance requirements, and work flexibly with legal colleagues to manage workload.
  • Commitment to demonstrating the values and behaviours of WMCA in all aspects of your work.
  • Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate and demonstrable experience.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

  1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
  2. Build your Profile.Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
  3. Write your Supporting Statement.Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
  4. Submit your application.Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, 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. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
  • Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributionscheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
  • 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
  • EV car benefit scheme
  • Healthcare plans.
  • Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.
  • An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
  • 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
  • Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
  • Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costcomembership through the WMCA.
  • Boundlessunlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
  • EyeCare Scheme,offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

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

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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