Looking for Your Next Exciting Role in Public Sector Legal and Governance?
Join YPO’s Team
Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, forward-thinking, inclusive and supportive organisation where you can also learn and develop? YPO might be the perfect fit for you!
With 50 years of experience, YPO has been dedicated to supporting the public sector. Our journey began five decades ago when 13 local authorities united to streamline their purchasing needs and enhance efficiency, forming the organisation we know today.
As a 100% publicly owned entity by our 13 member authorities, we ensure that our profits are reinvested into our public sector customers, offering even greater value for money. Discover more about our company and culture at Start a career at YPO | YPO.
YPO is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best.
If this position is advertised as a full-time role (37 hours per week), YPO is pleased to consider requests for flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours and job-sharing opportunities. We are committed to supporting work-life balance and encourage candidates to discuss their preferred working patterns with us.
Our Purpose
To help the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services. It’s an incredibly stimulating and rewarding purpose that our increasingly diverse team is dedicated to achieving. We champion public value, helping education and public sector organisations get the most from their resources. What sets YPO apart is our public-ownership model, which sees every penny of profits given back to our customers and owners.
Our Values
- Be kind: We care for and are committed to supporting our colleagues, customers and suppliers.
- Do the right thing: We are honest, inclusive and professional.
- Embrace creativity: We encourage new ideas as we’re always looking to improve.
- Make a difference: We’re committed to improving our impact on the environment while empowering our people and supporting our communities.
Our Opportunity
Senior Legal and Compliance Manager
Salary: £71,334 per annum
Location: Wakefield, with hybrid working
Contract: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, and forward-thinking organisation where your expertise truly makes an impact?
As we continue to grow, we have the opportunity for a Senior Legal and Compliance Manager to lead and shape YPO’s compliance function. This is a pivotal role where you’ll provide strategic oversight, risk management, and project leadership across key areas including:
- Procurement compliance and governance
- Legal frameworks and advisory services
- Quality assurance
- Data protection and information governance
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A Great Place to Grow
"YPO really invests in its people. From flexible working and generous holidays to professional development and wellbeing support, the benefits are fantastic. There’s a real sense of purpose and pride in what we do—and that makes coming to work every day feel meaningful." - Helen
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Make a Real Impact
"Working at YPO has been a genuinely rewarding experience. It’s not just about the work we do—it’s about the impact we make. Every day, I feel part of something bigger, helping to support schools, councils, and public services across the UK. The culture here is collaborative, inclusive, and full of opportunities to learn and grow."
You’ll act as YPO’s internal legal advisor, guiding the board and senior leadership team on compliance matters and influencing strategic decisions surrounding public sector procurement and offering assurances. You will lead our team or professionals in the contracts and quality assurance teams and drive initiatives that embed best practice and innovation across the organisation.
Covering a diverse project portfolio, you’ll play a key role in a number of strategic projects, including the implementation and project delivery of a new procurement system that will enhance commercial management and deliver greater efficiency across YPO.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a dynamic and experienced professional who can bring:
- Qualified legal background with strong knowledge of public sector procurement law.
- Proven leadership in legal, compliance, or governance roles, ideally within regulated environments.
- Expertise in data protection and risk management.
- Strategic thinking combined with excellent project management skills.
- Outstanding communication and influencing ability at all levels.
- A commitment to ethical business practices and delivering social value.
What’s in it for You?
- Generous annual leave, 29 days a year, plus 8 days statutory bank holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days at Christmas
- Pay progression - pay award pending (subject to national negotiations)
- Enrolment in a Local Government Pension (West Yorkshire Pension Fund)
- Health and wellbeing package
- Flexi scheme and flexible working options
- Family-friendly policies
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Subsidised canteen and free parking
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Discounted sports and leisure memberships
- Commitment to staff development and training
- Continuous service for those eligible under the Modification Order
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re ready to make a real impact in a role that combines legal expertise with strategic leadership, we’d love to hear from you!
Scroll down to the ''How to apply'' section for all details on how to be considered for this role
Close Date: Midnight on Sunday 11th of January 2026
Interviews are expected to take place w/c 19th of January 2026
To discuss this position in more detail, or for any other questions, please contact Danielle McDowell (Resourcing Partner) on 07977743718 or danielle.mcdowell@northyorks.gov.uk
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Local government pension
We offer generous defined benefit pension options under the West Yorkshire Pension Scheme.
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Family-friendly policies
Our family-friendly policies include flexible home-working options, and flexi-time opportunities.
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Additional training options
We offer a range of additional training and development options for staff to progress in their career at YPO.
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Cycle to work scheme
Make savings while keeping fit, reducing your carbon footprint and spending less time in your car!
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Professional Mental Health Services
We’re proud to offer mental health support through Spill, a modern workplace counselling service. Spill provides an accessible, inclusive and human approach to professional support.
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Generous holiday allowances
We offer a generous annual leave package per year starting at 24 days, plus 8 statutory holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days.
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Gym membership
Enjoy discounted sports and leisure memberships with full access to gyms, swimming facilities and classes.
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Sports and social club
From discounted family and social outings, to monthly prize draws, our Sports & Social club is well worth joining!
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Wellbeing support
We are committed to staff wellbeing through year-round activities, peer support groups, professional mental health services, and our proud membership in the Mindful Employer and Healthy Wakefield charters.
“Our mission is to help the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services across the UK.”
Established in 1974, YPO now has over 50 years' experience in giving back to the public sector. Five decades ago, 13 local authorities came together to combine their buying demands and achieve efficiency, and that's when our organisation as it's known today began.
We supply products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, the public sector, and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes.
We're 100% publicly owned by our 13 member authorities, which means the profits we make are returned to our public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.
We work closely with suppliers and collaborate with other public sector buying organisations to achieve efficiencies and value for money. Through collaboration, YPO provides products and services to meet specific needs and objectives, through a wide range of procurement categories and frameworks.
We believe that every penny counts – YPO offers an opportunity to make an impact and a real difference by delivering social value and outcomes in the communities it serves.
About YPO
YPO - Our history and heritage - YouTube
Our Values and Behaviours
YPO's New Brand Values - YouTube
Being located so close to Leeds and Sheffield, living in Wakefield means that you can take full advantage of all the amenities in these vibrant cities and in terms of transport it could not be better, with immediate access to the M1 and M62, as well as strong railway and airport links. Commuting to London and back in a day is totally feasible.
Wakefield itself has a lot to offer in terms of culture and the arts – there is The Hepworth Art Gallery, Theatre Royal, Coal Mining Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Wakefield Cathedral. If outdoor activities are more your thing, it boasts Xscape Yorkshire and Snozone Yorkshire on the doorstep, as well as Pontefract Racecourse, and many beautiful outdoor spaces including country parks at Newmillerdam and Nostell (National Trust), to name but a few.
You will find that housing is much more affordable than in other parts of Yorkshire, and there are many pretty villages in and around the area which provide rural idylls with a strong sense of community; great places for family living.
How to Apply
To be considered for the role, please complete our online application form here
We reserve the right to remove this vacancy before the proposed deadline in the event of the position being filled, a change of requirements or a large number of applications being received.
YPO is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief.
We will not accept applications from agencies and can only consider applications from individuals with right to work within the UK.
YPO is committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services. Please refer to our Privacy Statement which explains how we use information about you and how we protect your privacy. Privacy | YPO
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Where Ideas turn into Action
"What sets YPO apart is the people. Everyone here is passionate about delivering value to the public sector, and that shared purpose creates a really positive and supportive environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, there’s space to develop, innovate, and make a difference."
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Where Ideas turn into Action
"What sets YPO apart is the people. Everyone here is passionate about delivering value to the public sector, and that shared purpose creates a really positive and supportive environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, there’s space to develop, innovate, and make a difference."