Assistant Director of Legal Services

New Forest District Council; Stock's Cross; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the New Forest is seeking a committed Assistant Director of Legal Services. This senior leadership role involves leading legal and governance services while advising on planning, contracts, and public law. The ideal candidate will have significant legal experience, excellent judgment, and leadership skills. This position offers a competitive salary, a hybrid work model, and various employee benefits including generous leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

£80,359 to £84,844 per annum

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid Working

Employee discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Proven track record of legal advice in local government.
• Ability to manage complex and high-profile cases.
• Experience in leading and motivating legal professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Council's Legal Service and Information Governance Service.
• Provide legal advice on local government reorganisation and planning.
• Act as the principal adviser on high-profile cases.

Skills

Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX Lawyer

Senior-level legal advice

Planning law expertise

Procurement and contracts expertise

Excellent judgment

Skilled communicator

Education

Current practising certificate

Job description

Overview

New Forest District Council is looking for a committed and forward-thinking Assistant Director of Legal Services (Deputy Monitoring Officer) to lead our Legal, Corporate Complaints and Information Governance Services at a time of ambition, growth and change. This is a senior leadership role that plays a crucial part in enabling the Council to deliver high-quality services, robust decision-making, and strong governance for our communities. As Assistant Director of Legal Services, you will provide authoritative legal leadership across the Council, advising Directors, Cabinet Members and services on a wide portfolio including planning, contracts, procurement, elections, regulatory work, litigation, governance, employment law and corporate projects. You will lead a skilled team of lawyers and other professionals, and work collaboratively across the organisation to ensure decisions are legally sound, transparent and defensible. You will also be the principal legal advisor to the Council on Local Government Reorganisation. As the Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will work closely with the Monitoring Officer and senior officers to uphold high standards of governance and ethical practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Council's Legal Service and Information Governance Service, including Data Protection and Corporate Complaints, ensuring a high-quality, solutions-focused legal function
• Provide senior legal advice on significant matters including local government reorganisation, elections, planning, procurement, commercial contracts, regulatory matters, and public law
• Act as the Council's principal adviser on complex and high-profile cases, managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with legislation
• Support major projects such as regeneration schemes, capital programmes, and key commercial partnerships
• Strengthen governance arrangements and contribute to effective decision-making
• Build productive relationships with Members, senior leaders, external partners and stakeholders
• Develop the Service, fostering a culture of learning, accountability and professional excellence
• Drive service improvements, modernisation, and proactive problem-solving across the Council

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate
• A strong track record of senior-level legal advice in local government or a relevant public sector environment
• Expertise in at least two of the following: planning law, procurement and contracts, local government law, commercial work, regeneration, employment law, regulatory enforcement or litigation
• Excellent judgment, political awareness, and the ability to balance legal rigour with practical, proportionate solutions
• Experience in leading and motivating legal professionals
• Skilled communicator who can translate complex legal issues into clear, confident advice for Members and senior officers
• A collaborative, resilient approach and the ability to inspire trust across the organisation

About the Council and Our Priorities

With our head office based in Lyndhurst in the heart of the stunning New Forest National Park, the Council is an excellent place to work and thrive. We work together to provide a wide range of highly valued services to our community. We are working on exciting initiatives including tackling climate change, supporting the Solent Freeport (to unlock significant investment, create thousands of new jobs and level up our important coastal communities), promoting regeneration of Town Centres and a Transformational Programme for modern and innovative working. We are proud of our new values for 2024.

Benefits

• £80,359 to £84,844 per annum
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid Working
• Wide range of employee discounts at high street retailers, including supermarkets, stores and restaurants
• A Cycle to Work scheme which could save you around 40 percent on cycles and accessories
• Local Government Pension Scheme and AVC provision
• Employee Assistance Programme (free 24 hour legal, financial, and personal advice for employees)