We’re looking for a Lawyer specialising in Contracts and Commissioning to join our highly regarded Mid Kent Legal Services (MKLS) 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.

MKLS is a supportive and nurturing environment which provides opportunities to progress through learning and development.

About the Role

As our Lawyer (Contracts & Commissioning), you will provide high-quality, proactive professional legal advice and support for contracts and commissioning. You will manage a legal caseload, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation, including procurement processes.

Ensuring we operate at the forefront of legal excellence and align with Lexcel standards, you will provide legal advice and communications to clients, across all three local authorities.

You will be developed and supported to supervise less senior fee earners and Legal Support Officers, ensuring high-quality support and administration in legal transactions.

Additionally, you will:
- Stay updated on legal developments in contracts & commissioning law
- Be developed and supported to represent MKLS in internal working groups and external meetings
- Be prepared to attend meetings of the Mid Kent Services authorities, including committee, where applicable
- Uphold and comply with the policies of the Mid Kent Services authorities

This is 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.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including:
• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

To be considered as our Lawyer (Contracts & Commissioning), you will need:

- To be a hold a minimum of CILEX Level 3 qualification, and be working towards CILEX Level 6 qualification (or equivalent)
- Some legal practice experience in contracts and commissioning
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of applying the new Procurement Act and experience of drafting Building Contracts.
- Some knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and democratic process
- A full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel to attend the offices of the shared service authorities.

This is the ideal opportunity for a planning legal professional to join our forward-thinking shared service.

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.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are shortlisted can expect an in-person interview at one of the offices of the shared service authorities.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Tim Pyant on 01622 602155.

Interview Date: w/c 27th July 2026