Hays
Contracts & Procurement Solicitor

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Your new company
A large local authority is seeking an experienced public sector Contracts Solicitor to join its established legal team on an interim basis. This is an initial 4-6 month assignment with an immediate start available - an excellent opportunity to work in a high-performing in-house legal function, supporting a broad range of strategic projects and commercial initiatives. The organisation operates across a diverse portfolio of services and requires legal support on complex contractual, procurement, funding and partnership matters. You will work alongside experienced legal professionals and key stakeholders across the business, providing commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice.
Your new role
You will provide specialist legal support on a wide range of commercial contracts and procurement matters, advising internal stakeholders on legal risk and ensuring compliance with applicable procurement legislation. Key responsibilities will include:
- Advising on contracts and procurement matters (including variations and modifications) within a public sector environment
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial agreements
- Supporting project teams on complex commercial and strategic initiatives
- Managing legal risk and providing practical solutions to operational challenges
- Liaising with external advisers and key internal stakeholders where required
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
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What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent legal professional holding a current practising certificate (this role will be suited to lawyers with 3+ years' PQE). You will have demonstrable experience advising on:
- Commercial contracts (including modifications) within a local government or wider public sector setting
- Public procurement law, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023
- Funding agreements and subsidy control law
- Collaboration, partnership and joint working arrangements
The successful candidate will be able to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision and demonstrate excellent drafting, communication and stakeholder management skills.


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What you'll get in return
- Competitive umbrella rate of £50-£60 per hour
- Hybrid working - once per week, though flexibility on this may be considered
- Exposure to a broad range of complex public sector contracts and procurement work
- Opportunity to work within a well-established and supportive legal team
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
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