Preston City Council is a vibrant Council committed to maximizing resources and developing employees. 

The Council is a family friendly employer, operating an excellent flexi-time scheme to support a healthy work/life balance.

The Legal Section is looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Litigation Lawyer to play a pivotal role in a collaborative team.     

You will need a recognised legal qualification (e.g. a fully Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or ILEX qualified Legal Executive) or equivalent suitable experience and be highly competent at dealing with a wide and varied range of litigation matters.   You will deal with a mixed caseload and must be proactive and solution focussed driven to achieve successful outcomes for the Council.

You will work on a diverse and stimulating caseload providing specialist advice and assistance. The work covers areas such as enforcement of regulatory matters and criminal and civil litigation.  You will conduct advocacy in Court and manage Counsel as required.  In addition you will provide expert support across a range of contentious matters providing clear, pragmatic legal advice which will help the Council deliver its priorities lawfully, proportionately and effectively.

Candidates with private sector experience must have a solid understanding of how local authorities operate and demonstrate their ability to transfer knowledge and skills to successfully deliver a service within a local government context.

You will be a strong team player and have excellent communication, drafting skills and the ability to provide legal advice to a variety of audiences including senior officers

If you feel that you have the necessary qualities and commitment then I would encourage you to apply for this position within our team.

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares, a cycle to work scheme and access to a healthcare insurance scheme.

If you would like to find out more about this post please contact Susie Hedges on 01772 906515

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Closing Date: 29 Nov 2026

Section: Jobs

Salary: £46,579 to £49,817 per annum

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse range of professional property services, ensuring that our operational estate remains safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for purpose both now and in the future.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality services across:

• Architectural Design
• Quantity Surveying
• Building Maintenance
• Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation
• Facilities Management

As a key member of the senior management team, you will play a critical role in supporting the Council's corporate priorities through the effective management, maintenance and development of its operational property assets.

About the Role

You will lead the delivery of a comprehensive operational property service, ensuring the Council's property assets support service delivery, community outcomes and organisational resilience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and direction across all operational property functions.
• Managing and developing multidisciplinary professional teams.
• Ensuring the Council's operational estate remains safe, compliant and well maintained.
• Leading the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
• Driving improvements in building performance, sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Overseeing the delivery of Operational Property services for capital projects.
• Leading the Council's Operational Property service to ensure efficient and customer-focused service delivery.
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory, regulatory and health and safety requirements.
• Supporting the development and delivery of the Council's asset management and property strategies.
• Managing significant budgets, contracts and external supplier relationships.
• Working collaboratively with elected members, senior officers, partners and stakeholders.

About You

We are looking for an inspiring leader with a strong track record in property management and the delivery of operational property services.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional qualification in a relevant discipline or the ability to demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience
• Membership of a relevant professional body (such as RICS, or equivalent) or the ability to demonstrate equivalent professional standing.
• Significant senior management experience within property, construction, estates or asset management environments.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical and professional teams.
• Strong knowledge of property compliance, building maintenance and health and safety legislation.
• Experience of delivering capital projects and planned maintenance programmes.
• A strong understanding of energy efficiency, sustainability and decarbonisation within the built environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality public services and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

At Preston City Council, we are committed to creating a thriving city and delivering excellent services for our residents, businesses and communities.

In return, we offer:

• A rewarding and influential leadership role.
• Opportunities to shape the future of the Council's property portfolio.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development and support.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking working environment.

As an employer, we value the contribution of our employees and offer an excellent range of benefits including flexi-time, hybrid working following probation, a minimum of 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, family-friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVCs, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, discounted bus and rail fares, and a Cycle to Work Scheme.

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Sarah Robinson on 01772 906211 or email s.robinson@preston.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 29 Nov 2026

Section: Jobs

Salary: £57,675 per annum

Salary: Grade 9 

£37,563 – £39,481 per annum (plus £7,000 market supplement per annum)

Preston is a vibrant city with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and a thriving cultural scene, with opportunities for a domestic surveyor to inspect building work in an urban or rural setting and within the North Preston urban extension.  

We have an opportunity for a Domestic Level Building Inspector to manage a varied portfolio of domestic projects, providing expert advice and guidance to ensure that any work is carried out complies with the Building Regulations and associated legislation. 

You will need to provide a customer focussed service for plan checking and site inspections and also provide support to the public protection function of the service, as and where required. You will be required to identify on-site contraventions of the regulations, ensuring such contraventions are swiftly addressed. You will also be expected to supply the enforcement team with technical knowledge and support in their pursuit of taking enforcement action.  

To be successful you will be required to hold Registered Building Inspector status at Class 2 level (Category A for Domestic level). Class 2 Inspectors will have a professional Building Control Qualification (Level 4 or equivalent), Building Control experience with working knowledge of building regulations and legislation, excellent communication and negotiation skills, strong organisation and prioritising skills and a strong focus for service excellence. 

We offer hybrid working for these positions and although these posts are being advertised as full-time roles, we are a flexible employer and will consider applications from candidates who would prefer to work part-time or more flexibly.

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working following probation, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays) Pro Rata, family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares and a cycle to work scheme.  

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

If we receive sufficient applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Michael Mallett, Principal Building Inspector on 01772 906913 or m.mallett@preston.gov.uk. To obtain further details and apply online please visit our website www.preston.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 04 Nov 2026

Section: Jobs

Salary: £37,563 to £39,481 per annum

You will need a recognised legal qualification (e.g. a fully Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or ILEX qualified Legal Executive or someone who can demonstrate a level of experience and skill fitting them for the post) and be highly competent at dealing with a wide and varied range of planning matters.  You will deal with a mixed caseload and must be proactive, and solution focussed driven to achieve successful outcomes for the Council.

       Your duties will involve:

• Working closely with the Assistant Director and other colleagues in Planning and Planning Enforcement to provide advice, assistance and advocacy where appropriate
• Preparation and drafting of section 106 Agreements
• Attending Planning Committee as the Council’s Legal Advisor
• Considering the Council’s position and advising on Planning Appeals
• Research on planning issues and providing clear and understandable advice on ad hoc planning and regulatory matters
• Assisting with policy and procedures and training in relation to planning matters

 Candidates with private sector experience must have a solid understanding of how local authorities operate and demonstrate their ability to transfer knowledge and skills to successfully deliver a service within a local government context.

You will be a strong team player, able to play an effective influencing role in project teams, with enthusiasm for delivering projects. The successful candidate will have excellent communication, drafting skills and the ability to provide legal advice to a variety of audiences including senior officers

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares, a cycle to work scheme and access to a healthcare insurance scheme.

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Closing Date: 15 Nov 2026

Section: Jobs

Salary: £46,579 to £49,817 per annum