Role Profile
WMCA is committed to building a healthier, happier, better connected and more
prosperous West Midlands. This is our vision. Our Values are central to how we work
and interact with our wider partners and stakeholders. We encourage our colleagues
to Be Collaborative, Be Innovative, Be Driven and Be Inclusive.

The role will be responsible for providing high level specialist and proactive legal advice to
the WMCA (including any subsidiaries), Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Services and
Designated Officers (as appropriate) on all legal matters relating to the work areas
specified in the job title. The post holder will be supporting and collaborating with a wide
range of internal and external contacts and stakeholders to meet WMCA’s (including any
subsidiaries) business needs, including providing timely, commercially astute legal advice
and solutions. Delivering tangible outputs that impact positively to the furtherance of
WMCA’s aims and business objectives across the West Midlands, wider Constituent, and
non-Constituent Member areas.

Responsibilities
• Drafting legal documents, agreements and advice for the work areas specified in the
job title which may include procurements for high value multi-disciplinary projects;
supporting complex commercial projects.
• Leading on the work streams autonomously and/or co-ordinating and leading on
matters where wider legal team involvement is required.
• Providing innovative and solution focused advice on matters relating to the work
areas specified in the job title including, but not limited to, advice on the delivery of
services, appropriate commercial and procurement advice, innovative alternative
business structures, commercial ventures and shared services solutions to facilitate
the delivery of WMCA Strategic Economic Plan.
• Procuring, managing and working closely with external legal advisers engaged by the
WMCA including ensuring effective working between in-house and external legal
advisers to meet business objectives; primarily (though not exclusively) through the
Legal Services Panel framework.
• Providing and/or co-ordinating with their team the provision of legal advice and
support across the Business Area, as well as where necessary, across all legal
disciplines in respect of high-profile projects of all types.
• Advising on any contract disputes and developing strategies/solutions for low risk
resolution.

What will you be doing?
• Maintaining a client focused and relevant legal services, including trusted advisor
support.
• Ensuring that WMCA’s overall Strategic vision, values and ethos are embedded to
facilitate targeted efficient and effective legal service provision.
• Strategically supporting effective working relationships, acting as an ambassador and
advocate within your Business Area as part of the trusted advisor role.
• Advising on the legitimacy of WMCA decision making process and through the
interpretation of Combined Authority legislation and powers, including its constitution.
• Considering drafting and furnishing advice on board/committee reports, briefing notes,
business cases, advising as to appropriate legal implications concerning applicable vires
and commercial matters.
• Undertaking due diligence to protect the WMCA’s best interests and reputation.
• Maintaining up to date legal knowledge pertinent to all areas of the post holder’s
expertise including monitoring the impact of legal policy across the specialist areas and
local government/public sector.
• Providing appropriate risk analyses by managing and mitigating all risks having the
potential to expose the WMCA to legal risk or other adverse or reputational
consequences.
• Working closely with internal colleagues, at all levels of the organisation to assist and
provide relevant legal input as required to inform strategic decision making in respect
of commercial/corporate areas of law.
• Strategically supporting the organisation by providing pragmatic and commercially
focused legal advice as part of business planning.
• Carrying out duties with due regard to the WMCA’s customer care, equal opportunities,
information governance, data protection, confidentiality, IT security and health &
safety policies and procedures.
• Assisting the Mayor and Members in accordance with WMCA legislative powers where
appropriate.

Apply here: Principal Lawyer | 25 February, 2024 | Jobs and careers with WMCA