Head of Legal Services – Corporate & Governance

JOB DESCRIPTION
The Legal Services Directorate provides high-quality legal, corporate and constitutional advice and support across the Council and its interests.
The service covers a broad range of legal work, including contentious matters such as Children’s and Adults Social Care, Anti-Social Behaviour, prosecutions, licensing, contractual disputes and debt recovery, alongside non-contentious work including planning, asset management and acquisitions.
As Head of Legal Services – Corporate & Governance, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the delivery of a consistently high-quality, client-focused legal service. You will work closely with senior colleagues, key clients and external partners, providing strategic legal advice and helping the Council identify and manage legal risk.
You will also lead, support and develop the team, creating a positive culture where colleagues are motivated to perform at their best and develop their careers.
A key part of the role will be setting and maintaining practice standards across your area of responsibility and contributing to the wider development of the Legal Services Directorate.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
You will:

• Deputise for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services when required, including undertaking Deputy Monitoring Officer responsibilities.
• Provide and oversee a comprehensive legal service to colleagues across the Council and its wholly owned subsidiary companies.
• Provide strategic legal advice and input into risk management, including drafting Cabinet and Committee reports and attending meetings where required.
• Build constructive relationships with strategic partners, stakeholders and internal services.
• Analyse and identify legal risks and potential exposure for the Council.
• Keep Members and Directors informed of relevant developments in legislation, regulation and case law.
• Manage budgets and external expenditure within your area, ensuring effective cost management and prioritisation.
• Ensure value for money for the Council and that work undertaken meets high in-house standards.
• Lead and manage the team, including performance reviews, team meetings, coaching and development.
• Motivate and develop the team to support the achievement of the Council’s objectives.
• Build a culture of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure corporate and directorate HR practices are understood and effectively implemented.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement using relevant data and information.
• Build and maintain excellent internal and external working relationships.
• Provide appropriate legal support across the directorate.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role.

ABOUT YOU
You will be a qualified legal professional with a recognised legal qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
You will also have:

• Significant experience in either Commercial Law or Environmental Law, including Planning or Highways.
• Strong experience providing high-quality legal advice within a complex organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to advise and engage with clients, senior stakeholders and third parties.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing a team alongside managing an active caseload.
• The ability to analyse legal risks and provide clear, practical advice.
• Experience of using document and case management systems.
• A collaborative and proactive approach to leadership and service delivery.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as the role involves regular travel across the borough and, on occasion, further afield. Reasonable adjustments will be made where appropriate in accordance with the Equality Act.
The role may also require attendance outside normal office hours.
The Council and its schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.