Interim Head of Legal (Hybrid)

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in Northallerton is seeking an Interim Head of Legal to provide comprehensive legal services for a temporary position. The role includes managing a Corporate Services Team and offering legal counsel on high-profile projects. The ideal candidate is a qualified lawyer with a practising certificate, capable of working collaboratively with various stakeholders. This hybrid role offers flexibility in working from home and the office, making it suitable for candidates interested in full-time or part-time commitments.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in providing legal advice and representation.
• Experience in local authority governance and corporate law.
• Ability to manage performance and work with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation across various projects.
• Supervise the Corporate Services Team and ensure effective service delivery.
• Draft reports and give legal advice in meetings and inquiries.

Skills

Legal service provision

Management and supervision

Client liaison

Research and analysis

Education

Qualified lawyer with a practising certificate

Job description

Interim Head of Legal (Hybrid) needed in Northallerton, £30.19ph PAYE – Reference: RQ1660024

Length: 3 to 6 months

Hours: 08.30 – 5pm Mon – Thu, 08.30-4.30 Fri. Full time working is preferred; part time working will be considered.

Location: Hybrid/Northallerton. There will be some requirement to attend the office in Northallerton; however, hybrid working from other offices and from home is available.

Overview

The core focus is to provide and ensure the provision of a comprehensive legal service to the Client, Directorates, Committees and Members including legal advice and representation.

• In relation to high‑profile, politically sensitive and high‑value capital projects (including construction and regeneration).
• Company law advice in relation to the Client‑owned companies and other corporate delivery models.
• Local authority governance including the Client’s status as a harbour authority.
• Combined authority governance and projects.
• Under contract to the Legal and Democratic Services’ external clients.

The worker will be provided with support from the Assistant Director for Legal Services with specialist and niche areas such as Harbours.

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (LDS) within the Chief Executive’s Group. The Client provides a range of services to the North Yorkshire area, and the role of the Legal Service is to support the provision by providing a comprehensive and efficient legal service to the Directorates, the Client’s Executive, full Client, Committees and Members, and external clients.

• The nature of the work requires a flexible and versatile approach as it will change from time to time in response to the changing needs of the Client and its developing initiatives.
• The post is required to work with colleagues and Members at every level within the organisation, with external clients and partners, and to manage the performance of staff within its responsibility.
• The budget of the service is in part dependent on income from external sources and the post must play its part in ensuring successful income generation, and in ensuring compliance with Law Society Professional Standards, and the achievement of Lexcel accreditation.
• Qualified lawyers must have a practising certificate.
• This is a politically restricted post as defined by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The assigned worker will be responsible for:

• The provision of a comprehensive, efficient, and effective legal service to the Client and external clients, and the management and supervision of the Corporate Services Team in providing that service.

A comprehensive legal service includes the following:

• The development of the legal service provided in the above areas to the Client and all clients in accordance with the requirements of the Service Plan.
• The preparation and presentation of cases in courts, tribunals, and inquiries.
• The instruction of Counsel and attendance with Counsel.
• The interviewing of witnesses and preparation of statements of evidence.
• Attendance and advice at meetings.
• Joining project teams for the delivery of significant Client projects.
• Undertaking research and providing written or verbal advice.
• Attending Officer and Member meetings, or meetings of external client organisations to give legal advice as necessary.
• Drafting and/or advising on Client, Committees and Executive reports and minutes.
• The preparation and presentation of appropriate training.
• Monitoring legislation and case law developments and advising the Client and Directorates and clients accordingly.

This is a Full‑time role on a temporary contract basis.

If you are interested in the role please apply on our website with your CV; alternatively you can email your CV to [e-mail] quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre‑employment checks including references so please be prepared.

Due to high volumes of CVs received we are not able to respond to all unsuccessful applications. You will always however hear from us by phone if we are able to take your CV forward to the next stage.