Manchester City Council is recruiting a Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist to join its Children and Families Legal Group, based at the Town Hall Extension, Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA. The role is permanent, full time at 35 hours per week, with a hybrid working style.

What the role involves

The post holder acts as the leading subject matter expert on public law children's matters within the service, providing specialist legal advice on complex, high-value and politically sensitive matters. The role combines a significant personal caseload with a key place in the wider management team, including service development, mentoring colleagues and shaping the strategic direction of the group.

Key responsibilities include managing complex public law children's cases, acting as a trusted adviser to senior officers, elected members and stakeholders, leading on complex legal issues and policy development, supervising and developing legally qualified staff, allocating complex work across the team, delivering training and legal updates, and undertaking advocacy where required. The team advises on multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and on the disclosure of children's and adults' social care records and education records.

Who can apply

Applicants must be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate, with extensive experience of children and families law, particularly public law children work. The council states that applicants must already hold valid right to work documentation for the UK, as visa sponsorship is not offered for this role. Appointment is subject to pre-employment checks, including a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Pay and how to apply

The salary is Grade 11, £57,786 to £61,686 per annum pro rata, with the bar at £60,428. Applications are made through the Manchester City Council jobs page linked above, quoting Job ID 8585. The council's live listing states the closing date as 13 November 2026; applicants should check the listing before applying, as the date shown in some search results differs.

Source: Manchester City Council.