Employment Lawyer - Surrey Council - £42ph (UMB)

HCL Workforce Solutions Ltd; Surrey Heath; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Surrey Heath is looking for a senior manager to handle legal responsibilities, manage caseloads, and provide timely legal advice to ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have a degree and substantial experience at a senior level, with strong negotiation and analytical skills. This role offers a strategic opportunity to influence legal service delivery and performance enhancements.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience at a senior management level in a specialist area.
• Knowledge of change management and project management.
• Ability to manage budgets and resources.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full, varied caseload and deliver innovative solutions.
• Provide timely legal advice and assistance to the County Council.
• Lead the development of policy in own area of specialism.

Skills

Change management

Project management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Education

Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Tools

Computerised business systems

Job description

Responsibilities

• Manage a full, varied and demanding caseload and deliver innovative solutions with minimal supervision.
• Support and deliver, personally and through assisting in the management of the team and its resources, the council's ambition to reduce reliance on external legal support.
• Undertake and/or manage advocacy where required.
• Support the Monitoring Officer in advising the County Council of illegality or procedural default to enable matter investigation.
• Contribute to the training of staff within the Council to ensure they are kept up to date with the law and emerging issues.
• Provide timely, clear and effective legal advice, representation and assistance to enable the County Council to discharge its functions lawfully and effectively.
• Develop a flexible, multi-disciplinary working environment to deliver fit-for-purpose legal service and widen experience across the range of areas of law offered in the Service.
• Operate in a paper-light environment, manage and record work contemporaneously using electronic case management systems, and minimise paper records.
• Be available to hot desk and attend proceedings as required by the role.

Analysis, Reporting & Documentation

• Identify issues, trends and opportunities that may impact the area of responsibility to enable appropriate action.

Customer Service & Support

• Lead the development of policy in the own area of specialism, and contribute to delivering organisational objectives.
• Evaluate existing service provision, consider feedback and external developments, and propose innovative solutions to maximise service quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Apply specialist expertise and use judgement to make decisions where solutions are not obvious, delivering services that meet customer requirements and service standards.
• Drive change and embed new ways of working to ensure high quality service delivery and value for money.

Planning & Organising

• Develop and implement operational plans and contribute to longer-term strategic plans for the area to fit broader council strategy.
• Lead major projects and reviews and represent the business area in initiatives to enhance reputation and service delivery.

Finance/Resource Management

• Manage allocated budgets/resources/funding effectively and flexibly; control related expenditure to deliver targets/objectives within budget.
• Contribute to resource and budget planning within own area.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification plus substantial experience at a senior management level in a specialist area.
• Knowledge of change management, project management and continuous improvement and their practical application.
• Authoritative knowledge of work practices, processes and procedures relevant to the role, including broader sector/commercial awareness.
• Ability to manage budgets and resources to deliver effective support to their area of responsibility.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with high-level negotiation and influencing abilities and the capacity to work collaboratively with internal and external partners/professionals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of computerised business systems.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Advanced problem solving and analytical skills with the capacity to devise and implement innovative solutions for strategic change.
• Wide experience in leading, coaching, mentoring and developing staff.