Governance Lawyer

Daniel Mayer Photography; Braintree; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local council in Braintree is seeking a Governance Lawyer to support good governance and provide expert legal advice to members and officers. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with extensive experience in local government law and excellent communication skills. Join a forward-thinking team committed to effective governance and community engagement.

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits

Local government pension scheme

Learning and development for all staff

Staff discounts at local businesses

Extensive health and wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Significant experience advising Members and Officers on governance arrangements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local government law and constitutional issues.

Responsibilities

• Manage systems of good governance within the Council.
• Lead on providing legal advice for queries from officers or councillors.
• Develop and deliver training for compliance and governance.

Skills

Legal advice provision

Governance knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Public law principles understanding

Relationship building

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX

Job description

Overview

Braintree District Council has an exciting opportunity for a Governance Lawyer to join the team.

Location: Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB

Salary: £48,945 to £53,082 per annum pro rata

Job Type: Full time, permanent

Closing date: Thursday 9 October

Why choose Braintree District Council

Braintree is an ambitious forward-thinking Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community.

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it.

Governance Lawyer - The Role

The main purpose of your role will be to support the Monitoring Officer and wider team in maintaining good governance to ensure the Council's responsibilities are effectively managed and decisions are made in a lawful, clear and transparent manner.

You will provide expert and legal advice to Members and Officers at all levels, leading on the preparation of decision reports to Cabinet/Council and key committees. You will support the development of governance processes and training to support the Council in compliance with legal practice and the Councils Constitution.

You will also act as a Deputy Monitoring Officer and assist the Monitoring officer in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities.

Governance Lawyer - Key Responsibilities

• To manage and maintain systems of good governance which ensure that the Council's responsibilities and decision-making processes are effectively managed and decisions are made in a lawful, clear and transparent manner
• Provide expert advice on behalf of the Monitoring Officer, to Members and Officers in relation to the discharge of their statutory functions
• To lead on providing legal advice in response to queries raised by officers or councillors
• Develop and deliver training and processes to support the organisation in compliance and governance

Governance Lawyer - You

• A qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX
• You will have significant experience of advising Members and Officers on good governance arrangements
• You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse complex information and present advice, reports and accounts clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences
• A thorough, comprehensive and practical understanding of public law principles
• Comprehensive and detailed knowledge in relation to local government law, governance and constitutional issues
• Success in building and sustaining effective relationships with both officers and councillors at all levels of the organisation

Governance Lawyer - Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all staff
• Staff discounts at local businesses
• Staff recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership

What Next

Closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Thursday 9th October.

To submit your application for this exciting Governance Lawyer opportunity, please click ‘Apply' now!