Make an impact where it matters

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Lawyer specialising in Property and Regeneration to join our highly regarded shared service providing legal services and advice to Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils.

The service covers a range of areas including Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance. Working across multiple councils means a range of high-level, challenging and impactful work. This is more than a legal role—it’s your opportunity to shape communities.

Why join MKLS?

Mid Kent Legal Services is a forward-thinking, innovative shared service, known for delivering high-quality legal support across three ambitious local authorities.

We offer:

High-profile, varied work you won’t find in most private practice roles
A supportive, collaborative team culture
Real opportunities for personal and professional development
Smart use of technology to maximise your time and impact
A genuine commitment to flexibility and wellbeing

About the role

As a Senior Lawyer (Property & Regeneration), you will:

Manage a complex and rewarding caseload covering property and regeneration matters
Provide strategic legal advice to senior leaders, elected members and officers
Help ensure delivery to Lexcel standards and best practice
Supervise and support junior legal staff and legal support officers
Represent MKLS in key internal and external forums
Deputise for the Team Leader when required

This is a pivotal role at an exciting time, with major regeneration projects underway across all three authorities.

This i a full time role working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract. This role offers the benefit of hybrid working, combining the flexibility to work from home with office-based working on a business needs basis.

Our Offer

Local Government Pension Scheme
Generous annual leave + Christmas closure (with the option to buy more annual leave)
Flexible working opportunities including:

Hybrid working
Compressed hours / 9-day fortnight / part-time options
34-hour full-time week (with early Friday finish)

Wellbeing support, counselling and healthcare initiatives

Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping

Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, car leasing)
Free parking across partner authority sites

Why this role stands out

If you’re looking to move away from long hours and narrow specialism, this role offers:

High-quality, meaningful work
Greater work-life balance
The chance to influence communities at scale
A flexible and progressive working environment

About You

We’re looking for a confident, commercially aware legal professional who can operate at senior level in a complex, fast-paced environment.

You will have:

Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or equivalent experience
Significant post-qualification experience in property and regeneration law
Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and decision-makers
Experience working in or alongside politically sensitive environments
Strong understanding of local government processes and democratic structures

Other organisations may call this role Senior Legal Counsel, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services Manager, Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or Senior Legal Manager.

Please review the job description and person specification for full details.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those who are successful in securing an interview can expect a face-to-face interview at one of the offices of the shared service authorities.

Mid Kent Legal Services and Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells local authorities are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Are you interested?

For an informal discussion, please contact: Timothy Pyant, Interim Business Manager – 01622 602155

Interview Date: 22nd/23rd July 2026