Chief Officer for Legal and Governance - Interim

Sellick Partnership; Warwick; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A Warwickshire-based local authority is seeking an experienced Interim Monitoring Officer to provide statutory governance leadership and expert legal advice across the organisation. This senior role requires MO/DMO experience and a qualified Solicitor (or equivalent).

You will advise on governance, standards, planning, licensing, and constitutional reviews, working with senior leaders to ensure lawful decision-making and robust governance across the council.

Qualifications

• Experience as Monitoring Officer (MO) or Deputy Monitoring Officer (DMO).
• Qualified Solicitor or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience in local government governance and statutory duties.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil the statutory duties of Monitoring Officer under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• Lead on standards, ethics, Member conduct, and governance matters.
• Advise on governance-related planning, licensing, housing, local taxation, regulatory services, and service delivery.
• Lead on constitutional reviews and governance improvement initiatives.
• Oversee complaints, standards investigations, Ombudsman enquiries, and governance audits.
• Work with the Section 151 Officer and Corporate Leadership Team to maintain robust governance arrangements.
• Manage external legal support and oversee delivery of specialist legal services.

Skills

Governance leadership

Legal advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Policy governance

Education

Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent)

Job description

A Warwickshire based local authority is seeking an experienced Interim Monitoring Officer to provide statutory governance leadership and expert legal advice across the organisation. This role requires experience supporting organisational transformation, shared services, or local government reorganisation.

This is a key role within the senior team, working closely with the Chief Executive, Leader of the Council, elected Members, Corporate Leadership Team, and external partners to ensure the Council maintains the highest standards of governance, transparency, and lawful decision-making.

The role requires a candidate with previous DMO or MO experience, preferably from a Borough Council. Duties of the role include:

• Fulfil the statutory duties of Monitoring Officer under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• Lead on standards, ethics, Member conduct, and governance matters.
• Advise on matters relating to planning governance, licensing, housing, local taxation, regulatory services, and district council service delivery.
• Lead on constitutional reviews and governance improvement initiatives.
• Oversee complaints, standards investigations, Ombudsman enquiries, and governance-related audits.
• Work closely with the Section 151 Officer and Corporate Leadership Team to maintain robust corporate governance arrangements.
• Manage external legal support where required and oversee the delivery of specialist legal services.

Applicants must have previous experience at this level and be a qualified Solicitor (or equivalent). Previous experience operating as a Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer is essential. You must possess a strong understanding of political environments and be able to navigate sensitive governance issues to succeed in this position.