Solicitor (Project Lead)

Location: Halton Borough Council
Contract: Initial 6-month contract (with potential extension)
Hours: 3 days per week (some weeks may require additional days), at least 1 day on-site

Halton Borough Council is seeking an experienced and dynamic Project Lead Solicitor to shape the future of our legal services.

Our legal team is currently facing several challenges, including:

• Difficulty recruiting for key roles.
• High volumes of incoming work from internal client departments.
• A significant budgetary overspend, driven by reliance on locum staff to meet demand.

This project aims to develop a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective delivery model for the Council's legal services.

As Project Lead Solicitor, you will:

• Lead the next phase of the project, including implementing an interim structure and modernising systems and working practices.
• Develop fully costed options for the future delivery of legal services.
• Explore innovative solutions, such as:
  • Internal restructuring to enhance efficiency.
  • Process reviews to drive improvements.
  • Establishing a trading company for legal services.
  • Leveraging partnerships with other local authority legal teams.
  • Proposals for improved recruitment, hiring, and reward strategies.

We encourage a blue-sky thinking approach, and no preferred option has yet been determined. Your insights and leadership will be pivotal in delivering a modern, effective legal service within a sustainable budget.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Solicitor with:

• Extensive experience in both public and private sector legal services.
• A proven track record of leading organisational change and service transformation.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including senior management and Elected Members.
• A creative and strategic mindset, capable of driving innovative solutions to complex challenges.

• Competitive daily rate.
• Flexible part-time schedule with opportunities to work remotely.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the delivery of legal services in a challenging but rewarding environment.

Connect2Haltonis a trading style of Halton & Kent Commercial Services LLP- A joint venture between Halton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Halton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.