Senior Lawyer (Construction, Property and Planning)

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

Senior Lawyer (Construction, Property and Planning)

Job Description:

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Role Purpose:

SYMCA's Senior Lawyers ensure that stakeholders receive high quality, targeted legal advice on the full
range of public and regulatory law issues. The work involves supporting the delivery of the Organisations
priorities and protecting the interests of the Mayor and the Combined Authority and its Subsidiary
companies by providing professional legal advice, negotiating complex legal solutions and drafting
appropriate documentation and agreements. Such tasks will be commensurate with your experience and
grade.

The Senior Lawyer will be the lead authority's lead for an expanding portfolio of construction and property
matters including the use of compulsory purchase powers. In addition in is expected that the Combined
Authority will be given an increased regulatory role in planning law and the Senior Lawyer will be the
Combined Authority legal lead in this area.

The Senior Lawyer will provide high quality, targeted and accessible legal advice across a range of practice
areas and will work as a valued business partner with colleagues across the Combined Authority in order to
secure and deliver effective solutions to legal issues. The Senior Lawyer will need to be highly experienced
and technically proficient in their areas of legal specialism. They will be expected to work with a high degree
of autonomy on complex legal matters. The Senior Lawyer will generally lead and manage their own
portfolio of matters, but they will also work collegiately with the wider team on larger legal projects,
particularly those which require input from multiple legal specialisms. Senior Lawyers will also supervise the
work of junior Lawyers or non-qualified junior members of the team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on legal matters relating to construction, planning, and property law, including the use of compulsory purchase powers.
• Providing expert legal advice on complex, high-value projects and programmes, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of legal documents, including NEC4, JCT, and other construction-related contracts.
• Supporting the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in ensuring lawful decision-making and governance.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal clients, local authorities, government departments, and commercial partners.
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and legal support staff, contributing to their development and the overall effectiveness of the team.
• Managing the procurement and oversight of external legal advice, ensuring value for money and strategic alignment.
• Keeping abreast of legislative and policy developments and proactively advising colleagues on their implications.

Skills, knowledge and Expertise:

You will be a confident and capable legal professional with a strong track record of delivering high-quality legal services in a complex, fast-paced environment. You will bring expertise in construction, planning, or property law, and be comfortable advising senior stakeholders on high-stakes legal matters. Your ability to think strategically, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively will be key to your success in this role.

We'd love to hear from candidates with the following:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive currently in practice.
• Significant post-qualification experience in construction, planning, or property law.
• Strong drafting skills and legal judgement, with experience in complex legal agreements and contracts.
• Proven ability to manage complex legal transactions and provide strategic legal advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to apply legal knowledge in a practical, solution-focused way.
• Experience in the public sector or with combined/local authorities.
• Leadership or management experience, including supervision of junior staff.
• Understanding of local government, transport legislation, and the political environment.
• Membership of (or eligibility to join) a recognised and relevant professional body.

We'd love to hear from candidates with the following:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive currently in practice.
• Significant post-qualification experience in construction, planning, or property law.
• Strong drafting skills and legal judgement, with experience in complex legal agreements and contracts.
• Proven ability to manage complex legal transactions and provide strategic legal advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to apply legal knowledge in a practical, solution-focused way.

All colleagues have access to a local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.