Property Lawyer - Tendring District Council

Are you seeking a challenging and rewarding career in project delivery? Do you possess the skills, experience, and passion to make a significant impact on the communities of Tendring? If so, we want to hear from you.

We are looking for talented and motivated professionals to join our new Project Delivery Unit. This team will be responsible for delivering strategic and transformational projects across the district, including regeneration, housing, economic development, and cultural initiatives. These projects aim to enhance the quality of life and well-being of our residents and visitors.

Job purpose

To provide high quality pro-active legal advice, assistance and support to clients and their service areas including cases/projects of medium/high complexity and/or substantial corporate importance, mainly in the following areas of law and practice:

• Property (including general and housing revenue fund land holdings)
• Property law, acquisition of commercial property, and residential conveyancing and right to buy legislation
• Understanding Local Authority powers in relation to land / property
• General property/land law related advice on Unilateral Undertakings
• Governance & lawful decision making in connection with the areas of law and practice

Key role accountabilities

Act as a point of contact for clients for the primary areas of responsibility.

Undertake detailed legal research using instructions received and assist service departments for them to provide relevant material and information to provide legal advice and support.

Effective day to day delivery of general legal advice and associated drafting within the areas of responsibility, including:

• Assessment of relevant legal powers, principles to be applied and options available to the Council as a whole;
• Analyse the facts and circumstances, including complex title reports, providing proactive advice and drafting to improve the Council's position or minimise any reputational or financial risk;
• Ensuring compliance with any necessary procedural rules and regulations related to the area of responsibility;
• Understanding and advising on the required decision making and compliance with the Council's governance; and
• Support to formal report authors, so that robust reports are presented to members with all the relevant information contained within, to enable informed decisions (giving particular attention to legal implications and recommendations within reports taking in to account the constitutional, risk and corporate governance context).

Undertake original drafting of complex legal documentation for the areas of responsibility including (but not limited to):

• large scale acquisitions or disposals;
• residential and commercial property freehold and leasehold;
• compulsory purchase orders

Liaising and communicating to a high standard with relevant external stakeholders. This includes positive management of external relationships.

Representing Legal Services on any estate development project management groups (or similar) and taking a proactive role to support delivery of the Council's priorities involving property.

Seeking Counsel's opinion or representation on complex matters or alternatively when internal resources dictate.

Keep up to date with all legislation, case law and best practice to assure the quality of legal advice and support to clients

Ensure the highest standards of client care for the primary areas of responsibility by monitoring service quality, meeting deadlines, consulting with clients and delivering continuous improvement to service provision.

Identify matters which have corporate governance, propriety or probity implications and report them to Head of Legal Services and/or the Assistant Director (Governance) (and the Monitoring Officer where appropriate)

Work to all Legal Services internal service procedures and practices (including case management and time recording systems) and enhancing the same where necessary.

Ensure that risk and conflict of interest is constantly monitored in respect of all casework in accordance with procedures.

Monitor the progress of work against relevant standards and timescales and ensure that performance standards and targets are met.

Work cost effectively utilising information technology and legal resources and support as appropriate.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Admitted Solicitor, Fellow of Institute of Legal Executives or Licensed Conveyancer
• Experience of working in a complex and diverse organisation at a senior level undertaking similar functions and duties to those in the job description.
• The higher grade is dependent upon the post qualification experience (3 years plus) achieved and demonstrated in the specialist areas of this role, for e.g. property and governance.
• Having a consistent record of giving sound professional advice and building success through effective and productive working relationships.
• Demonstrable high standard of literacy and general numeracy skills.
• Proficient in MS-Word, Excel and Outlook and associated legal case management systems.
• The ability to make prompt, clear decisions, whilst taking responsibility for actions, projects and people.
• Experience of leading and supervising Including providing clear direction to motivate and empower others.
• Experience in using persuasive and influencing techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• The ability to plan and organise based on deadlines and milestones.
• Able to work well in a high pressure environment

Benefits

The new team will be based in the Town Hall in Clacton-on-Sea, with flexible hours and hybrid working as standard. There is free parking two minutes from the office, and discounted leisure membership for spa, swimming, gym and other sports.

As a local authority employer, membership of local government pension scheme giving you excellent benefits when you retire.

What to do next

If this sounds like the role for you we would love to hear from you. Please click the apply now button to complete an application.

If you have any questions or wish to apply and receive a copy of the full job description, please email #####