Principal Lawyer

Principal Lawyer

Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Salary: £46,579-50,908 per year

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time

Contractual hours: 37

Package

• Up to 45 days per year including bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Local Government pension scheme
• Personal Development
• Discounted leisure facilities
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health and well-being
• Hybrid working may apply

Job Description

Principal Lawyer (2 posts)

£46,579 - £50,908 per annum

Mansfield District Council has two senior roles where you can lead a team, influence strategic decision-making and make a tangible difference to residents and communities. The town offers some of the most affordable housing in England, excellent transport links to Nottingham, Sheffield and the Peak District, and easy access to the beautiful Sherwood Forest. This is an opportunity to relocate to a place where your salary goes further, your work has visible impact, and your contribution is recognised.

Contracts Principal Lawyer

You will be the lead adviser on commercial contracts, providing end-to-end legal support on major projects and service delivery arrangements. Advising on procurement, TUPE and subsidy control; drafting and negotiating NEC and JCT contracts; and helping clients with contract management and dispute resolution, you'll deliver practical, commercially focused solutions. You will lead a property lawyer, generalist lawyer and two part-time property legal assistants so management experience and knowledge of property and employment law are necessary.

Housing/litigation Principal Lawyer

You will provide advice on homelessness and housing management functions and conduct the advocacy at complex possession hearings. Other civil litigation cases will include anti-social behaviour injunctions and committals, debt recovery, property tribunal hearings and judicial reviews. Criminal work ranges from environmental health prosecutions to fly tipping SJPs. You will support and be assisted by two housing lawyers and a legal assistant so the ability to delegate effectively, manage workloads and develop staff are key.

For both posts, you will use your local government knowledge to work on wider corporate projects. You will be proactive and confident in your specialist area (gained through at least 5 years PQE) while being happy to gain experience in new areas of law. Customer service will be important to you as will a drive for continuous improvement.

If you wish to take the next step in your career, please apply by specifying the particular post. Shortlisting for interview will be based on applicants meeting the essential criteria in the person specification and, where necessary, on how well the desirable criteria are met. Up to £5,500 may be available towards relocation expenses.

Closing date: 27 September 2026

Interviews: 15 October 2026

#s1-Gen

For both posts, you will use your local government knowledge to work on wider corporate projects. You will be proactive and confident in your specialist area (gained through at least 5 years PQE) while being happy to gain experience in new areas of law. Customer service will be important to you as will a drive for continuous improvement.

Contractual hours: 37 Package: Up to 45 days per year including bank holidays (pro rata for part time) Local Government pension scheme Personal Development Discounted leisure facilities Free eye tests Cycle to work scheme Health and well-being, £46,579 - £50,908 per annum Mansfield District Council has two senior roles where you can lead a team, influence strategic decision-making and make a tangible difference to residents and communities. The town offers some of the most affordable housing in England, excellent transport links to Nottingham, Sheffield and the Peak District, and easy access to the beautiful Sherwood Forest. This is an opportunity to relocate to a place where your salary goes further, your work has visible impact, and your contribution is recognised.

• Contracts Principal Lawyer
You will be the lead adviser on commercial contracts, providing end-to-end legal support on major projects and service delivery arrangements. Advising on procurement, TUPE and subsidy control; drafting and negotiating NEC and JCT contracts; and helping clients with contract management and dispute resolution, you'll deliver practical, commercially focused solutions. You will lead a property lawyer, generalist lawyer and two part-time property legal assistants so management experience and knowledge of property and employment law are necessary.
• Housing/litigation Principal Lawyer