Interim Monitoring Officer

Venn Group - London; Essex; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive Local Authority in the South East is seeking an Interim Monitoring Officer to establish governance frameworks and ensure legal compliance. The successful candidate will advise senior leadership on statutory obligations and lead the development of organizational structures. This full-time role offers a 12-month contract and involves extensive collaboration across government sectors. A qualified legal professional with experience in local government is essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive required.
• Extensive senior experience in local government law is a must.
• Proven adviser to senior political and executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Interim Chief Executive and senior leaders.
• Ensure statutory obligations and a robust governance framework.
• Oversee legal risk and statutory compliance.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive.

Extensive senior experience in local government law

Proven adviser to senior political and executive stakeholders

Strong experience in governance design, data protection and statutory compliance

Credible communicator with sound judgement

Experience leading teams and managing complex legal portfolios

Job description

Interim Monitoring Officer – South East Local Authority – Full Time

Venn Group is partnering with a progressive and commercially minded Local Authority in their search for an Interim Monitoring Officer on a locum basis.

This new body will take responsibility for transport, housing, economic development, climate, infrastructure, and skills. The Monitoring Officer will play a pivotal role during this set‑up period, ensuring the organisation is established on strong legal, governance and constitutional foundations. The postholder will lead the development of frameworks, provide high‑level advice to senior leaders, and ensure statutory compliance from day one.

Job Title: Interim Monitoring Officer
Length of Contract: 12 months
Working Pattern: Full time
Location: South East region

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advising the Interim Chief Executive, senior leadership team and the Mayor.
• Ensuring the organisation meets all statutory obligations and operates within a clear, robust governance framework.
• Developing the constitution, decision‑making structures and assurance processes.
• Overseeing legal risk, procurement policy and statutory compliance.
• Acting as Data Protection Officer and overseeing data protection, FOI and information governance.
• Supporting the development and lawful operation of scrutiny arrangements.
• Building strategic relationships across central and local government, partners and the region to support inward investment and strategic objectives.
• Leading governance, legal and compliance leadership across the organisation.
• Developing and maintaining the governance model, constitution and regulatory frameworks.
• Overseeing procurement policy, legal risk and regulatory compliance.
• Fulfilling the statutory Monitoring Officer function.
• Ensuring adherence to governance frameworks, statutory duties and ethical standards.
• Providing strategic legal and governance advice across portfolios including growth, transport, housing, climate and skills.
• Shaping organisational culture, behaviours and governance standards.
• Leading partnership activity across the region, supporting collaboration across sectors.
• Ensuring legal, governance, people, finance and system functions meet statutory requirements during the set‑up stage.

Preferred Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive.
• Extensive senior experience in local government law, governance and constitutional matters.
• Proven adviser to senior political and executive stakeholders.
• Strong experience in governance design, data protection, FOI and statutory compliance.
• Credible communicator with sound judgement, resilience and political awareness.
• Experience leading teams, shaping culture and managing complex legal portfolios.

If you are interested in this Interim Monitoring Officer role within a South East Local Authority, please contact the London Legal Recruitment team on 07441 916 456 or email your CV to [e-mail], and a member of our team will be in touch.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates. All rates and PQE ranges stated serve only as a guide, and all applicants will be considered on their individual merits.