Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer

Plymouth City Council

Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer

Salary band: £82,949 – £115,330 (an additional relocation package of up to £8,000 is available for eligible candidates)

Venn Group is proud to be working in partnership with Plymouth City Council to appoint a new Head of Legal Services and Statutory Monitoring Officer.

Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities, situated between the beautiful South West Coastline and Dartmoor National Park. Not only does Plymouth have an outstanding quality of life, but it also has a reputation for pushing the boundaries, driving growth, income and stimulating innovation. The benefits of urban living with a waterfront location and close beaches, make Plymouth is a truly unique place to work and live.

As Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, you will have a key role in the operational management of an excellent legal service. You will also be pivotal in all areas of development in an outstanding unitary authority with a superb reputation, winning the Local Authority of the Year award in 2021

The role

• Senior responsible officer for legal matters across the Council providing advice and guidance to the Council, elected members and officers
• Provide leadership and management in the operation of the Legal Services department to deliver a customer focused, innovative centre of excellence
• Engage and contribute to the long term strategic planning process to ensure the Council’s organisational design, behaviours and leadership are aligned to the strategic direction of the organisation
• Lead and take ownership for organisational change which impacts on their department, improving quality, efficiency and value for money
• Lead the department with responsibility for its performance, delivery of outcomes, management and use of staffing, financial resources and technology, involving, engaging, co-designing and working with communities, stakeholders and partners
• Empower managers and staff to operate and run effective functions which are in line with the Council’s values and Corporate Plan
• Act as the Council’s Monitoring Officer pursuant to Section 5 Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as amended, ensuring that governance arrangements are maintained which encourage high levels of probity and ethical standards amongst elected members and officers.
• Provide strong, visible leadership and direction through compelling communication of the Council’s vision and values to own department, federation and wider where necessary
• Facilitate informed decision-making by ensuring elected members and officers are proactively appraised of issues and receive relevant best practice professional advice
• Take lead responsibility for the overall management of the department ensuring the Council’s financial, human resources and other assets are planned, deployed and managed effectively to deliver the priorities.
• Ensure the department provides cost effective and efficient services for customers
• Embed a positive, innovative culture, which responds effectively and efficiently to deliver an outstanding customer focused service with best in class policies and practices which respond continually to the changing internal and external environments

Essential criteria:

• A qualified Solicitor and registered to practice law within the UK
• Have the ability to manage complex and sometimes opposing work streams and policies
• A proven background in leadership and developing teams to deliver an exceptional legal service
• The ability to create a cohesive working relationship with stakeholders
• Experience of working in a political or democratic environment
• Have previous experience as a statutory Monitoring Officer (or Deputy) within a Local Authority

Employee Benefits:

Plymouth City Council offer comprehensive inductions for new starters, and are committed to providing all staff with an individual continuing professional development plan.

The excellent benefits package includes:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Options for flexible and smart working
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee benefits package, including discounts on a variety of services and products
• Employee Assistance Programme

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please call Michael Attwood at your earliest convenience on 0117 930 8760 or email a copy of your CV to plymouthcc@venngroup.com