Perm - Principal Lawyer Transport

We are working with a local authority in Leeds to find a Principal Lawyer on a permanent basis.

Location: Leeds. Hybrid. 2-3 days a week in office  
Job Type: Full-time, permanent.  
Salary: £55,103 - £63,528 dependent on experience.  

We are looking for a Principal Lawyer to take a strategic lead on legal advice and support for complex transport projects within the Combined Authority, with a primary focus on the Bus Reform Project. This role requires a qualified legal professional with significant post-qualification experience, ideally in a public sector organisation, and a strong background in managing multi-disciplined projects.

Day to Day of the role:

- Provide strategic legal advice and support for the delivery of complex transport projects, ensuring statutory compliance and sound commercial acumen.  

- Lead and manage the legal support function for transport projects, coordinating both internal and external legal resources.  

- Engage proactively with internal and external stakeholders, including senior officers, Directors, and government officials, to effectively deliver projects.  

- Draft, negotiate, and interpret high-value and complex commercial contracts, ensuring legal compliance and minimising project risks.  

- Provide detailed advice on subsidy control, competition law, and transport-related legislation.  

- Support the Legal Commercial Service Lead in ensuring effective processes and procedures are in place for legal support to transport projects.  

Required Skills & Qualifications:

- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a current practising certificate or full CILEX (Fellowship).  

- Extensive practical experience in a similar role, with a focus on complex and high-value infrastructure projects  

- Demonstrable knowledge of public transport schemes, enhanced partnerships, bus franchising, and other relevant transport areas.  

- Strong commercial/corporate background with substantial experience in leading a legal function.  

- Project management experience and the ability to manage budgets effectively.  

- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and challenge.  

- Competent user of Microsoft packages and intranet sites.

If you are interested, or have any questions, please let me know.