Deputy Solicitor to the Council (DMO)

Central Bedfordshire Council; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking a Deputy Monitoring Officer to handle governance and legal oversight. This full-time role focuses on constitutional advice, managing relationships with elected members, and overseeing external legal services. With a supportive environment and opportunities for development, this position is ideal for a legally qualified individual ready for a governance challenge.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Flexible working culture

Minimum one day in-office per month

Work remotely abroad for one month per year

Qualifications

• Current practising certificate required.
• Experience advising or working with elected members.
• Background in governance, litigation, or local government generalist necessary.

Responsibilities

• Advising on constitutional governance and standards issues.
• Managing external legal services and spend control.
• Attending and advising at council and executive meetings.

Skills

Strong judgement

Political sensitivity

Clear communication

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive

Job description

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Central Bedfordshire Council provided pay range

This range is provided by Central Bedfordshire Council. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Central Bedfordshire Council

Deputy Monitoring Officer & Deputy Solicitor to the Council

Central Bedfordshire is at the forefront of change. With Universal Studios coming to Bedford, a balanced budget achieved despite national challenges, and major projects underway across the region, this is a council with real energy, ambition and momentum.

We’re looking for a legally qualified, politically astute individual to join us as Deputy Monitoring Officer. This is a rare opportunity to focus full-time on governance, standards and legal oversight – rather than combining those duties with broader directorate management.

You’ll work closely with our Monitoring Officer on everything from constitutional advice and governance reform to managing relationships with elected members and overseeing external legal services.

Why Central Bedfordshire?

• One of the first local authorities to embed hybrid working in contracts
• Formal requirement of minimum of just one day per month in-office
• Remote working abroad allowed for one month per year
• Council made up of independents – politically active and engaging
• Strong leadership and a supportive legal governance environment
• A genuinely modern, flexible working culture

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising on constitutional, governance and standards issues
• Supporting ongoing governance reform and a community governance review
• Managing external legal services including spend control and oversight
• Handling legal comments on reports and strategic documents
• Working directly with elected members – building trust and managing complexity
• Attending and advising at council and executive meetings

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive with a current practising certificate
• Experience advising or working with elected members
• Background in governance, litigation, or as a local government generalist
• Strong judgement, political sensitivity and clear communication
• Someone ready to take ownership of a wide-ranging, visible role

We’re open to candidates looking to take a step up. You’ll be supported by an experienced and collaborative Monitoring Officer who values challenge, development and shared thinking. If you’re ready for a new challenge in a council that’s modern, ambitious and buzzing with opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to find out more.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Legal

• Industries

  Government Administration, Legal Services, and Law Practice

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