Assistant Director - Legal & Governance (Deputy Monitoring Officer)

East Devon District Council; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK seeks an Assistant Director – Legal & Governance. This pivotal role involves leading a team, managing governance complaints, and shaping policies. The ideal candidate is legally qualified with strong political awareness and leadership skills, ready to influence strategic direction. This is a unique opportunity to advance in a supportive environment. Applications close on Midnight, Sunday 26th October.

Qualifications

• Combine political awareness with sound legal judgement.
• Provide expert advice across the Council.
• Navigate complex situations confidently.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a dedicated team ensuring excellent service delivery.
• Manage Code of Conduct complaints.
• Review and shape the Council's Constitution.

Skills

Political acumen

Technical legal skills

Leadership

Education

Legally qualified

Job description

At East Devon District Council, our guiding principles and values shape everything we do. From promoting equality and inclusivity to consulting and engaging with our communities, we are committed to delivering high-quality, accessible services that are open, clear and transparent every time. Our success is built on our One Council team approach, and we are now looking for an Assistant Director – Legal & Governance (Deputy Monitoring Officer) to bring their legal expertise and leadership to the forefront during a period of exciting transformation across the sector.

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to make a significant, strategic impact within a high-performing Council. As Assistant Director – Legal & Governance, you will lead and support a dedicated team, ensuring excellence in service delivery while investing in the professional growth of colleagues. You will play a pivotal role in translating our ambitious Council Plans into action, embedding strong governance arrangements that enable better outcomes for our residents and communities.

Our strong and constructive relationships with Elected Members are something we value deeply. As our Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will work closely with the Monitoring Officer to manage Code of Conduct complaints, using your political awareness and sound judgement to navigate complex situations with confidence. You will also take a central role in reviewing and shaping our Council’s Constitution, applying your expertise to ensure it reflects our ambitions and priorities.

About you

We are seeking a talented, legally qualified individual who is ready to broaden their portfolio and embrace a leadership role of real influence. You will combine political acumen with strong technical legal skills, providing expert advice across the Council and helping to drive good governance at every level.

This role is ideal for ambitious aspirant Monitoring Officers of the future, offering close collaboration and mentorship with the current postholder. It also provides an excellent platform to apply and grow your leadership skills while steering the strategic direction of a key service in a forward-thinking authority.

For more information, or a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors at Tile Hill: Bella Bennett ([e-mail], 07918 976494) or Anita Denton ([e-mail], 07725 554802).

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday 26th October

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.