Senior Lawyer - Environment & Sustainability

Westmorland and Furness Council is hiring a Senior Lawyer specializing in Environment & Sustainability to lead their legal team in Alston, UK. The role involves providing strategic and regulatory advice, drafting contracts, and advising on natural capital and climate projects. Ideal candidates should have strong communication skills and a commitment to community service. The salary ranges from £55,119 to £57,362, with various employee benefits offered.
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a Senior Lawyer specializing in Environment & Sustainability to lead their legal team. The role involves providing strategic and regulatory advice on environmental issues, drafting contracts, and advising on natural capital and climate projects. Candidates should have strong communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to serving the community. The position is based in Alston, United Kingdom, with a salary of £55,119–£57,362.
About this opportunity

A great opportunity has arisen at Westmorland and Furness Council within our Legal Team for a Senior Lawyer to lead on the Council’s environmental work.

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have strong experience in providing both strategic and regulatory advice on the environment, natural capital and climate and sustainability to clients, and who also has skills and experience in contractual drafting and negotiation in this area. We recognise that a key skill will be adaptability and ability to collaborate and learn given the new and evolving nature of this practice area.

Example areas of the type of experience we are looking for include:
• Advising on natural capital projects in the UK;
• Advising on carbon offsetting projects in the UK;
• Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Flood Resilience, BNG, Nutrient Neutrality, natural capital investment, carbon offsetting and other ecosystems services outcomes; and
• Providing advice on other climate and sustainability matters, including environmental projects, grants, contracts and other related agreements; and
• Advising on the establishment and operation of natural capital projects, including habitat banks for Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality, carbon offsetting and other ecosystems services.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matter including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Meetings, Committees and working groups as required.

Nature and Climate Change are key priorities of Westmorland and Furness Council having declared both a climate and biodiversity crises. Westmorland and Furness are aiming to be at the forefront of climate mitigation, climate adaptation and nature recovery, helping our communities adapt to our changing world.

Who we are looking for…

You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, have effective communication skills and be able to use sound judgement to solve problems. You will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. A commitment to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients, is required. You must have good IT literacy skills and an ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 24th March 2025