Locum Principal Commercial Lawyer

Locum Principal Commercial Lawyer (Contracts & Management) – East Midlands – Hybrid Working – Initial 3 Months – Up to £70 per hour umbrella

Do not pass up this chance, apply quickly if your experience and skills match what is in the following description.

Venn Group’s specialist legal team are currently working with an East Midlands Council to recruit a Locum Principal Commercial Lawyer with a strong background in Commercial Contracts and team management. This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior interim role within a forward-thinking Local Authority while supporting both operational delivery and strategic legal work.

The Role:

Working Arrangement: Full Time, Hybrid Working (ideally1 day per week in office – Tuesdays) however remote applications will be considered

Duration: Initial 3 months with potential extension thereafter

Rate: Up to £70 per hour umbrella

Start: Expected around 1 June 2026

Role Responsibilities:

• Leading on a varied caseload of commercial contracts matters across the Council

• Providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to internal departments, Officers, and senior stakeholders

• Managing and supervising members of the legal team, supporting performance and development

• Advising on procurement, commercial agreements, and wider contractual arrangements

• Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and public sector governance requirements

Candidate Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive (or equivalent) with significant experience in Commercial Contracts

• Previous experience working within Local Government or the wider public sector is essential

• Demonstrable experience of managing or supervising legal staff

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to provide clear and confident advice

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

For further information, apply for this position, or please contact Ebby Vallance on , or via email at

Job Reference: J94856

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates.

Due to the high volume of applications, it is not possible to provide feedback for every applicant. xwzovoh If one of the team has not contacted you within 48 hours, then please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.