Chief Officer for Legal and Governance

Civic Recruitment Limited; Rugby; On-site; GBP 152,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting the Chief Officer – Legal and Governance for a local authority. The postholder will provide strategic leadership across Legal Services, Democratic Services, Elections, Governance, and Equality and Diversity, acting as the Council’s principal legal adviser and Monitoring Officer.

The role involves guiding governance, managing multidisciplinary teams, advising Members and senior officers, overseeing council meetings and electoral functions, and delivering

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in legal, governance or local government settings.
• Experience providing strategic legal advice to senior leadership teams and elected members.
• Ability to operate within a politically sensitive environment.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex service areas.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to legal and governance services.

Responsibilities

• Act as statutory Monitoring Officer and provide governance leadership.
• Advise Members, Committees, senior officers, and external partners.
• Lead Legal Services, Democratic Services, Elections, Governance, Business Support, and Equality and Diversity.
• Ensure governance framework operation and promote best practices.
• Oversee council meetings, committees, and electoral processes.
• Provide advice on contracts, procurement, property, litigation, employment, and public law.

Skills

Senior management

Strategic legal advice

Governance

Multidisciplinary teams

Public sector experience

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or CILEX

Practising certificate

Job description

Rugby, United Kingdom | Posted on 30/09/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 months contract with a local authority

Summary

• The Chief Officer – Legal and Governance is a pivotal role within a local authority, responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction across various functions, including Legal Services, Democratic Services, Elections, Governance, Business Support, and Equality and Diversity. As the Council’s principal legal adviser and statutory Monitoring Officer, the postholder will ensure the highest standards of governance, legal compliance, and ethical conduct. This role is crucial in supporting the Council’s strategic objectives by delivering top-tier legal and governance services, managing risks, and fostering effective democratic processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Council’s statutory Monitoring Officer, ensuring adherence to all legal and constitutional mandates.
• Offer expert legal, governance, constitutional, and procedural advice to Members, Committees, senior officers, and external partners.
• Lead and manage the functions of Legal Services, Democratic Services, Elections, Governance, Business Support, and Equality and Diversity.
• Ensure the effective operation of the Council’s governance framework and promote best practices in corporate governance.
• Oversee the administration of Council meetings, committees, scrutiny functions, and democratic processes.
• Direct the delivery of local elections, referendums, and electoral registration functions.
• Provide advice on complex legal issues, including contracts, procurement, property, litigation, employment, and public law matters.

Requirements

• Significant senior management experience in legal, governance, democratic services, or local government settings.
• Experience in providing strategic legal advice to senior leadership teams and elected members.
• Proven ability to operate within a politically sensitive environment.
• Experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams and complex service areas.
• Strong track record of delivering governance, organizational change, and service improvement initiatives.
• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Fellow of CILEX, or equivalent recognized legal qualification.
• Current practicing certificate (where applicable).
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to legal and governance services.

Additional Information

• Working hours are 37 hours per week.
• A basic DBS check is required.
• The role requires 2-3 days on-site work.
• Payments are made on a bi-weekly schedule.
• The position is a 6-month contract with a rate of £950 per day umbrella.