Deputy Director of Legal & Democratic Services

Sellick Partnership; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is looking for a Deputy Director of Legal and Democratic Services in Exeter, offering competitive salary and benefits. The role involves strategic leadership, oversight of Legal and Information Governance departments, and advising senior officers. The ideal candidate is a qualified legal professional with extensive experience in Local Government law and strong leadership skills. This position supports a hybrid working model and includes family-friendly policies and generous leave.

Benefits

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Generous annual leave package

Family-Friendly Policies

Qualifications

• Extensive post-qualification and management experience required.
• Ability to drive change and improvement with strategic vision.
• Confidence and fluency in English essential.

Responsibilities

• Deputize for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services.
• Provide strategic leadership and organizational direction.
• Advise on regulatory implications of Corporate Strategy.

Skills

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Expertise in Local Government law

Outstanding communication skills

Leadership and people management skills

Commitment to values of Devon County Council

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Deputy Director of Legal and Democratic Services

Location: Exeter, Devon

Salary: £94,812 per annum

Full time role - 37 hours per week

Permanent

Overview of the Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services role

Sellick Partnership is delighted to be partnered with Devon County Council on the recruitment of a Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services on a permanent, full-time basis. The role will be based in Devon, and offers hybrid working. Although the preference is for full-time / 37 hours per week, part-time hours will also be considered. In return, the ideal candidate will earn a competitive base salary of £94,812 per annum, alongside some fantastic benefits.

As Deputy Director, you will formally deputise for and support the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, providing strategic leadership across the whole directorate. You'll be responsible for driving organisational direction, development, and delivery, ensuring our services are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our communities. Acting as the Council's expert in Local Government Law, advising senior officers and elected members on the regulatory implications of corporate strategy and service developments. As Deputy Monitoring Officer, you'll play a key role in upholding the highest standards of governance and ethical conduct.

Key responsibilities of the Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services role

In Devon, we are embracing opportunities for innovation, partnership, and service redesign, with a strong commitment to inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement. At the same time, As Deputy Director, you will :

• Formally deputise for and support the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, being responsible for the whole directorate in their absence.
• Responsible for the strategic leadership, organisational direction, management, development and delivery of the Legal, EDI, insurance and Information Governance departments.
• Support the statutory Monitoring Officer as the Deputy Monitoring Officer dealing with complaints in relation to the Members Code of Conduct.
• Advise senior officers and elected members on the regulatory implications of Corporate Strategy, objectives and service developments.
• To act as the Councils expert in Local Government Law. Lead, inspire and nurture our workforce, embrace equality and diversity and be committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and county that is inclusive and safe for all.

Required experience for the Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services role

• A qualified solicitor or barrister with substantial post-qualification and management experience.
• Expertise in Local Government law, corporate governance, and information governance.
• Strategic vision, innovative thinking, and the ability to drive change and improvement.
• Outstanding communication, influencing, and partnership skills.
• The ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• We are unable to consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commitment to Devon County Council's Values.
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.

Benefits available alongside the Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services role

• A rewarding career opportunity.
• Competitive base salary.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave package.
• Family-Friendly Policies including comprehensive maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave provisions.
• Access to a Salary-sacrifice and discount schemes.
• Relocation Support where eligible. Administered under DCC guidance (HMRC rules apply).

How to apply for the Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services role

If you believe you have the required experience and are interested in submitting your interest, please apply within. Alternatively, you can reach out to Natalie Ferguson in the Sellick Partnership office for a confidential chat.

Closing date : 23 : 59pm on Sunday 11 January 2026

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.