Deputy Solicitor to the Council (DMO)

Venn Group - Birmingham; Shefford; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking a Deputy Solicitor to join their governance team. This role offers a unique opportunity to focus on governance and legal oversight in a dynamic environment, encouraging remote and hybrid working. The ideal candidate will be a qualified legal professional ready to embrace a modern and flexible working culture.

Benefits

Hybrid working with only one day per month in-office

Remote working abroad allowed for one month per year

Supportive legal governance environment

Qualifications

• Current practising certificate required.
• Experience advising elected members is essential.
• Background in governance or litigation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise on constitutional, governance, and standards issues.
• Manage external legal services and oversight.
• Attend and advise at council and executive meetings.

Skills

Political sensitivity

Clear communication

Strong judgement

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive

Job description

Deputy Solicitor to the Council & Deputy Monitoring Officer

Hybrid (1 day/month in-office minimum) | £59,040 - £64,224 + £5000 market supplement

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 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.